Timberwolves lose to Nuggets in Game 3
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Jamal Murray rebounded from a rough start to the Western Conference semifinals with 24 points to lead the Denver Nuggets on a 117-90 romp in Game 3 on Friday night that made the Minnesota Timberwolves the last team in the NBA to lose this postseason.
Nikola Jokic, the three-time league MVP, had 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 points and the Nuggets cut theTimberwolves’ series lead to 2-1 on the strength of their 14-for-29 shooting from 3-point range.
Anthony Edwards had a quiet 19 points to lead the Wolves, who went just 10 for 32 from deep even with a 4-for-5 effort from Karl-Anthony Towns. They failed to get Towns (14 points) enough shots, fumbled the ball too often in desperate attempts to drive to the basket and simply played slower than they did in the first two games in Denver, falling behind by as many as 34 points down the stretch.
Game 4 is in Minneapolis on Sunday night.
The Nuggets became the 30th team in the history of the NBA playoffs to lose the first two games at home in a best-of-seven series, according to Sportradar research. Five of them have rallied to win, most recently the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round in 2021.
Ryan Saunders: Unscripted with Dawn Mitchell
A few months ago in preparation for this show, Dawn Mitchell had a great conversation with former Timberwolves Head Coach Ryan Saunders, who just so happens to be an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets. Who would've known when they sat down that the Wolves and the Nuggets would be amid the Western Conference Semifinals against the defending NBA champions right now – and with the Wolves with the series lead. This interview is also a nod to Ryan's father, Flip Saunders. Dawn and Ryan talk about the emotions of winning an NBA championship last year without his dad — and for his dad. Ryan may be working in Denver now, but his heart always remains in Minnesota. Here's Dawn Mitchell with Ryan Saunder ... Unscripted.