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00:00Take a 1-0 lead in the series with Game 3 of our playoff triple header.
00:05It's coming your way from the Garden.
00:06Jalen Brunson and the Knicks against the Hawks.
00:09New York won two out of three games against Atlanta this season.
00:12We're at the break in Denver.
00:14Timberwolves and the Nuggets all tied up at 62.
00:16The second half is coming up right after this.
00:28The Half is presented by AT&T.
00:32Connecting changes everything.
00:59Welcome back to Denver.
01:01You're watching first-round coverage on Prime, presented by Lilly.
01:07We're tied at 62.
01:09And no surprise, the 29th meeting of these two teams, 28 previous meetings, 14-14.
01:17All right, let's talk about some first-half thoughts.
01:19Yes, I like to give grades, right?
01:22First, Ant Edwards, I would give him an A in terms of coming out.
01:26He's serving.
01:26He's getting his assists, five assists, and he's getting other guys involved.
01:30And then Joker, they're doing a great job defending Joker, but he still has seven assists.
01:35We understand his impact on the game is far greater than scoring.
01:38And I love Minnesota.
01:40Just coming in on a roll, in this atmosphere, obviously having confidence because of that 14-14.
01:45But bringing their game on a roll, getting out early, 33-23 in the first quarter.
01:50And then Denver fighting back.
01:52The others, we talk about.
01:53These guys coming in, making big plays, making big shots, making this very compelling series.
01:58Wolves on the road.
02:00They're going to rely on their bench, including Ayo Gosumu, who moments ago stopped by to talk with Allie.
02:07Thanks so much, Kevin.
02:08Ayo, I know you were really looking forward to the postseason.
02:10It's here, of course.
02:11How were you able to take advantage there in the first half?
02:13I'm just being aggressive, trying to find any way I can to help my team win on both ends.
02:19They're a great team.
02:20They make tremendous runs, but we do also, so we got to just stay with it.
02:246-6 and 7 on just four shots for Nikola Jokic.
02:27What do you guys have to guard against most in the second half?
02:29Say it again.
02:306-6 and 7 on just four shots for Nikola Jokic.
02:33What do you have to defend the most in the second half?
02:35Just keep throwing bodies at them.
02:36Just keep making it hard on them.
02:39Yeah.
02:40I appreciate the time.
02:41Kevin.
02:42Allie, we thank you, and here we go.
02:45Second half will start in seconds.
02:50Number three against number six.
02:53In that second quarter, Jamal Murray caught fire with 14 points in the second for the Nuggets.
03:03But what is interesting is points off turnovers.
03:06Minnesota plus nine.
03:07Three throws made.
03:08Denver plus ten.
03:10Thus we're tied.
03:11Jokic into Gobert.
03:20And right there, Rudy doing a great job making Jokic take a fadeaway.
03:24His teammates have to come and get the ball.
03:27Gang rebound on that possession.
03:30Minnesota's going to lead the charge inside the paint.
03:34Plus 16.
03:36Edwards, three.
03:37Rebound Murray.
03:38Here comes Denver.
03:39I feel like Rudy is really locked in, too, as Murray shoots the pull-up through.
03:43Rudy is really locked into the game plan on both ends of the floor.
03:46He's just in the right positions as an offensive rebounder and as a defender.
03:52Randall Bear struggling with his shot, chipping his way, chiseling inside.
03:57Could not get it.
03:58Foul Nuggets with about a minute gone here in the third quarter.
04:03Jokic number two.
04:05And you talk right here about the impact of Aaron Gordon.
04:09He's going to come up with those loose balls.
04:11He's going to get those extra effort plays.
04:14And he's going to hang around the rim at his size and make things happen.
04:24David Cinto, three threes in this one.
04:27Gordon is on him.
04:27The bump, he got the separation.
04:30Rebound Murray.
04:33Boy, Denver really struggled from three to begin, but they finish eight of 11 and the reverse is in.
04:38What a play.
04:39And it's the biggest lead for the Nuggets today.
04:42Is that a mini Smitty?
04:43It looked like a little mini Smitty on the baseline right there.
04:48What was the finish?
04:48Like, I don't even know what kind of finger roll that was.
04:52Well, come up with a term because I'd love to hear it.
04:55Edwards.
04:56Edwards and Murray.
04:57There's a foul.
04:58It's on Ant.
05:00Edwards picks it up number two.
05:04And Ant Edwards on that possession.
05:06He did so well in the first half of getting off the ball when they load their defense up,
05:11when they show bodies, when they put two on him.
05:13He's got to continue to trust the others around him, and the ball will find him on the way back.
05:21Murray.
05:22Jokic.
05:23Flashing his way into Gobert.
05:28Are we counting that as a dunk?
05:30No.
05:30No?
05:31No.
05:31Well, I think his teammates wanted to count it as a dunk.
05:33Count it as a dunk.
05:35Gobert smashing his way into Jokic.
05:39That's a foul.
05:40Number three.
05:47Well, just Murray as well.
05:49Just get to his spot.
05:50Oh, is that a backhand reverse finger roll?
05:53I don't even know.
05:54Yeah.
05:55That's how we were looking over here.
05:56And then Jokic attacking the closeout.
05:59This is big on big crime right here.
06:02It's not a dunk.
06:03It's not a dunk.
06:03I didn't say it was a dunk.
06:05Under the rim.
06:06It's still two points, though, D.
06:08Still two points.
06:09And then Rudy on the other end getting to the free throw line.
06:11Attacking the closeout again.
06:13Are we seeing the change in the game?
06:15We got centers playing point guards.
06:18It's just amazing, isn't it?
06:21Even though we say that, Gobert's defense is still good as ever.
06:26I love Hurley attacking Jokic, understanding that he has some fouls.
06:30And if you can get another foul on him, now it puts him in an even worse situation
06:34where he cannot be as aggressive on both ends.
06:39It's Murray wheeling his way, finding Jokic wide open for three.
06:45He was surprised.
06:46Gobert with the rebound.
06:50It's Edwards.
06:52Four of nine.
06:53He'll put up a triple.
06:55Jokic rebound.
07:00Murray.
07:02He's going to finagle his way around the circle.
07:04Set up for the triple.
07:07Gobert the ball.
07:14Edwards.
07:15Bad knee and all.
07:17But look at the crowd that they're giving Anthony Edwards.
07:20Big fence.
07:22It's Randall.
07:25It's off of Denver.
07:27And right there, that play is not going to show up in the stat sheet, right?
07:30But Rudy Gobert getting another possession for his team, staying on the offensive glass.
07:36And to Alderman's point, really executing the game plan is important.
07:40Every time Anthony Edwards has the ball in isolation, let him see a crowd.
07:48McDaniels three.
07:50The teams began hot.
07:52And now they're cooling off.
07:54Start of the second half.
07:55Gordon with the three early fouls.
07:57Starting the second half.
07:59Jokic has got three.
08:01Indigo Bear.
08:01The twirling move.
08:03The pickpocket by DiVincenzo.
08:05It's Edwards.
08:06Cutting.
08:07Driving.
08:07No.
08:08Tip in.
08:09Good.
08:09Randall.
08:14And Murray with the Jokic screen.
08:17Setting up a 20-footer.
08:20McDaniels the rebound.
08:25DiVincenzo setting up the three.
08:28And DiVincenzo is unconscious from three.
08:32He has not missed four of four from beyond.
08:35Just incredible shooting.
08:44Christian Brown.
08:47Back out to Jokic.
08:49Free to fire.
08:52Rebound Edwards.
08:56And we are so used to it just being cash money for Joker beyond the arc.
09:01After All-Star break, he only shot 31% from downtown.
09:05So that is something, a part of his game that he has struggled a little bit with.
09:09Brody.
09:10Oh!
09:13Great lead pass.
09:15Didn't expect that.
09:18DiVincenzo.
09:18Go Bear screen.
09:20Three.
09:20No.
09:21Rebound.
09:21Jokic.
09:22Aaron Gordon has been doing an incredible job with his early attacks and putting a lot
09:26of pressure on the defense.
09:28And that time getting to that hero dunk was incredible.
09:31Murray's got it here.
09:33Trudging.
09:34Jokic.
09:35Rejected.
09:36Goal to cut the two.
09:38And that switch out.
09:40That late switch out by DiVincenzo.
09:42I'm grading the defense that they're playing on Jokic.
09:45They're making things difficult.
09:47He's missed some easy ones, some open looks from beyond the arc.
09:49But in the paint, they're making things difficult.
09:52Rudy, a little confusion on the three-man switch, I think.
09:56So he was late and got that goal 10.
10:01Dante DiVincenzo has 12.
10:03Edwards has 11.
10:04Go Bear has 11.
10:06McDaniels has 12.
10:08Driving Randall.
10:11Rebound Gordon.
10:14They'll accelerate.
10:17Gordon.
10:46This is brought to you by Lilly, a medicine company.
10:50By CarMax.
10:52Want to drive?
10:53And by Google.
10:56The Nuggets on a 7-0 run.
11:00The Wolves have started the third quarter, Candace.
11:04Two of 12 from the floor.
11:07And Minnesota's offense looked a little bit different in the first half.
11:10They were moving the ball.
11:11It was getting from one side to the other.
11:13They were getting off the ball quicker.
11:15So they have to settle in and trust that ball movement will get open shots.
11:20It's McDaniels with the Go Bears screen and a floater on the fly and a Jokic rebound torn away.
11:28It is off of Minnesota.
11:30And for Denver, Aaron Gordon.
11:32The Aaron Gordon impact.
11:34Zero field goals.
11:35Lived at the free throw line in the first half.
11:37And this second half, he's come out, knocked down a three, got to the rim, got some hustle plays for
11:43the Nuggets.
11:44It's Murray explodes inside and fouled.
11:55It's a foul and it goes for the third time on Jaden McDaniels.
12:01He didn't get the bucket right here, but just it starts at the screen setting.
12:05It starts at the screen setting with Jokic and also to the pace that Murray decides to come off of
12:10the handoff or the pick and roll.
12:11And so just incredible start of the play to finish to get to the free throw line.
12:16Murray, a first-time All-Star this season.
12:19Don't miss a playoff moment with the NBA app.
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12:24Go inside the story of this game and go behind the scenes of the playoffs in the moments tab.
12:31Download the NBA app today.
12:35And D-Way, to your point, Denver's offense is pick your poison.
12:40When you are able to knock down shots like the others can, shooting 40%, you're hesitant to help.
12:47And that allows Jokic and Murray to play one-on-one, two-on-two a lot of the time.
12:52Murray is 13 of 13 from the free throw line.
12:56DeVincenzo.
12:58Rebound, Murray.
13:06Backpedal.
13:10Hardaway, tailed by Edwards.
13:13It's Jokic on top.
13:1512 points for him.
13:17Hardaway, three.
13:18Tough shot.
13:20Gordon, tip-up try.
13:21Fouled by Edwards.
13:27The free throw disparity is becoming a story.
13:30The Nuggets will try their 11th and 12th free throws more than the Minnesota Timberwolves in a moment.
13:37Held and fouled.
13:39Gordon at the line.
13:40Edwards is out.
13:43And at times, with Anthony Edwards going to the bench.
13:46Oh.
13:48They're not going to give him a shot at the line.
13:51With Anthony Edwards going to the bench, you evaluate his first half.
13:54But you have that break.
13:55And you sometimes did a little hold coming back in the third quarter.
14:00Nas Reid is in.
14:02Yeah, I will.
14:03Oh, we've got that.
14:04I would like to see Minnesota utilize minutes in the beginning of the third quarter to really find ways to
14:11get him open and get him active.
14:15Looking on his own here.
14:17McDaniels is over Christian Brown.
14:19The rebound by Jokic.
14:22Nine rebounds.
14:24Blasting inside.
14:25Brown!
14:32Wolves have not scored in the last three minutes.
14:38It'll be Minnesota's ball.
14:40Christian Brown will check out.
14:42Bruce Brown will check in.
14:44This is an interesting time, right?
14:47Can the Nuggets extend this lead?
14:49Can Minnesota work their way back in this game with this offensive drought?
14:54Kyle Anderson has come in for Minnesota.
14:57With a whistle.
14:58A foul away from the ball.
14:59It's on Anderson.
15:00He just came off the bench.
15:01Once again, Denver is the aggressor.
15:04And the whistle goes towards the aggressor.
15:06They have brought it from the tip on.
15:08And so, they're getting these little calls that everyone's looking at, think is questionable.
15:13But they're not.
15:13They're aggressive.
15:16Reed is on Jokic.
15:18McDaniels goes right on Murray with the screen and the switch and the shot.
15:34And right now, you have Murray.
15:37Change of speed.
15:39Hesitation comes off.
15:43But earlier in that play, the Jokic screen, I don't think it's talked about enough.
15:50Agreed.
15:51If we talk about why does this two-man game work between Murray and Joker and Joker and Murray,
15:57it's because of the screen.
15:59It's because of the patience of it.
16:01And understanding these guys can do all things.
16:04But it's the patience of setting up to get to the actual goal.
16:09Steven Shenzhou is out.
16:10Mike Conley has come in.
16:17One starter on the floor for the Wolves.
16:19He's taking the shot here.
16:20McDaniels.
16:21I don't like the shot attempts by Minnesota.
16:24Credit the Nuggets.
16:25Great defense.
16:26But they're taking a lot of contested looks without the ball working its way to the other side of the
16:30court.
16:31Semper Wolves a miss.
16:32Seven consecutive shots.
16:33Jokic.
16:34Murray.
16:35Boy, they're going in.
16:36They're feeding him.
16:37Oh, Gordon.
16:39Parachutes in.
16:40There's a time.
16:4414-0.
16:45Nuggets run.
16:47Reed, no.
16:48Rebound.
16:49Dosumu.
16:50In the corner, it's Reed.
16:51Murray will meet the drive, the lean, the feed.
16:54And there's congestion in there.
16:57It's picked up McDaniels.
16:58Got it.
17:01And McDaniels coming in late for the play and pushing Joker in the back.
17:07AG has some words.
17:10I don't know if that's a fight he really wants to pick.
17:13Yeah, AG eyes get big.
17:14They get.
17:15I'm more so McDaniels pushing Joker.
17:18Oh, yeah.
17:18You don't want that.
17:19Well, McDaniels are quiet as a asser, too.
17:21You don't know what he got, neither.
17:22You see that late push right here.
17:31I don't know if he wants those outs, man.
17:33Have you seen Joker and his brothers?
17:36Because his brothers are rocking somewhere.
17:38He's looking right at the official, but you see that?
17:39You see that?
17:40I bet your security went right to his brothers.
17:42Like, you know how to get all the players away from the bench, like coming on the court?
17:46The hostilack technical foul on Jamie McDaniels.
17:48The play is under review.
17:52Now you can feel the momentum.
17:55You can feel the game shifting right now.
17:58Yes.
17:58Minnesota has to figure out ways to get buckets on the offensive end.
18:05This is frustration at his finest right now in Minnesota.
18:09They're not getting anything going on either end of the floor.
18:12And that's just a prime example.
18:13Just all the frustration mounting up.
18:16No, that is definitely a technical.
18:18Now the question is whether it is a technical or if he gets ejected for a push in the back.
18:28I don't know.
18:35After review, the two-handed push by McDaniels to the back of Jokic, which is a unsportsmanlike technical foul.
18:53And he's probably as important as any of these starters are for the Timberwolves.
18:59He just picked it up.
19:00We're going to walk to the other end.
19:05We're going to walk to Jokic, but Denver Nuggets have gotten some really good starts to playoff series.
19:15Seven and one over the last three years in game one.
19:18And we were talking for our original audience about the importance of game one.
19:24And, Dwayne, you had some interesting thoughts.
19:26Candice, you did as well.
19:28Yeah, well, game one is definitely important.
19:30It sets the tone.
19:31But I also understand that it is a formula to win four games and how you get there.
19:37And I think game one is a great game for your road players to feel comfortable in the series
19:41to help you accomplish what you need to in this way to get this first win at home.
19:45Well, the pressure is on the home team, right?
19:48When you come out in game one, the pressure is on the home team.
19:51You want to play spoiler if you're the road team.
19:53You want to keep it within striking distance going into the fourth quarter
19:56and give yourself a chance.
19:58Jamal Murray from the line, 15 of 15.
20:02He has 25 points.
20:03He just got the handoff from Jokic.
20:06He will set the screen.
20:11And Murray.
20:13It's a 17-2 Denver run.
20:16And Murray, we keep talking about Joker.
20:19He's quietly living at the free throw line.
20:2127 points here.
20:24Just the third quarter.
20:26Well, he's not letting up.
20:27He's not allowing the defense to take a rest.
20:29Every time he has the ball, as McDaniel gets to the basket,
20:32every time he has the ball, he's in the action.
20:34He's putting pressure on the defense.
20:37McDaniels, who averages 15, has got 16.
20:41With six rebounds.
20:43Three.
20:43Gordon.
20:45And a rebound by Jaden McDaniel.
20:47And Minnesota has to capitalize on playing.
20:51Free in transition, getting a stop.
20:55Reed's trip to the ball.
20:56Shot clock at 18.
20:58Denver timeout.
21:002-57 in the third.
21:03Renaud gets a broken three with a sizable lead on Minnesota.
21:08Taking a look now at today's encouraging movement presented by Lilly.
21:12Well, we talk about Murray's patience, his ability to be able to set up the play.
21:16And we know he wants to get right.
21:18That's his comfort.
21:18But also, too, when they cut him off candidates, he goes to the opposite shoulder as well.
21:23And that's money as well.
21:24Yeah, it's Jamal Murray doing a little bit of everything.
21:26But really, what got him going was getting to the free throw line.
21:30He shot 15 free throws.
21:32And sometimes, you know, to work your way into a game, you get that rhythm at the free throw line.
21:36You see the ball go in.
21:37Everything opens up.
21:38And he's taken himself two more free throw attempts than the Wolves have as a team.
21:43He's got 15 attempts, Minnesota 13.
21:46And he continues to put, like I said, he continues to put the pressure on his team.
21:49Every time he's in that action, he's not letting up.
21:52And so, his aggressiveness is what the refs see.
21:55And that's what they're calling.
21:56Cam Johnson in.
21:57Jamal Murray out.
21:59Nas Reid in the paint.
22:00Lost the ball.
22:02Vacuumed in on the play by Brown.
22:04And now, it's in the hands of the Nuggets.
22:09Approaching two and a half to play.
22:12Aaron Gordon.
22:13Early foul trouble has survived.
22:15There's a foul on Reid.
22:17Grappling with Jokic.
22:19And Nas Reid was frustrated from the offensive possession.
22:22But four.
22:23And then came down.
22:25And I think the refs let him play a little bit early.
22:27But you start banging like that, it'll give you two or three, not four.
22:32Yeah, he wanted that foul.
22:33He actually fouled it before that.
22:35He earned that foul.
22:36I think the one thing in the playoffs in Minnesota has been here.
22:39They've been in the Western Conference the last two years.
22:41You have to have short memory.
22:43When offense is not going well, you cannot allow it to affect you on the defensive end of the floor.
22:47Reid and McDaniels will check out.
22:49Edwards comes back in with Randall.
22:52Jokic against Julius.
22:54And we knew there were going to be questions with Anthony Edwards' minutes.
22:57How were they going to be staggered so he'd be at his best going in the fourth?
23:00Edwards the rebound.
23:02Jokic has gone 5 of 11.
23:05Anthony with the ball.
23:0711 points.
23:07Got the screen.
23:08Makes the move.
23:09Elusively tries to find some space with the leader.
23:14And a foul on Denver.
23:20Ant Edwards, patient on that play.
23:23I think everyone in the building knew that Ant Edwards was going to take this shot.
23:27Let's step through.
23:28Yeah, he got him in the head.
23:30I know they're booing for the Nuggets, but he got him in the head.
23:33Bruce Brown picks up his second personal foul.
23:35To your point, Candace, the one thing I don't like about Minnesota right now,
23:39their offense, it just has no cohesiveness to it.
23:42It is everybody's kind of, kind of, they're trying to do it on their, on their own.
23:45And I think they need to understand, there's no 14-point shot.
23:49You can't make one shot that's going to get you back in this game.
23:51So they have to work the game and they got to do it together.
23:57Timberwolves in this quarter.
23:58In this third quarter shooting.
24:00Four of 21.
24:07Jokic already has a double-double with 12 and 10.
24:10Seven assists.
24:11So he's looking at the triple-double.
24:13He gets the entry pass and tries.
24:16And that right there.
24:17Rudy Gobert on the bench.
24:20Randall getting the matchup.
24:22Jokic just too big.
24:24And Denver not turning it over.
24:26Only one in the last 12 and a half minutes.
24:27It's intercepted.
24:30Here comes Chuksen.
24:32The defense by Dosuno.
24:34Went out of bounds.
24:35Denver's ball.
24:38And Dosuno doing a great job getting back in transition.
24:42Not giving up on the play.
24:43This is what you want to see.
24:45Forces the contest, but is upset at his guys.
24:47Like, hey guys, get back.
24:49Yes, he should be.
24:50He should be upset.
24:51The guys put it on the play because they thought it was a layup.
24:53You don't do that.
24:54You got to play it all the way through.
24:56Jokic over Randall.
24:57Are you joking?
25:00Are you joking?
25:02Are you joking?
25:02Joking, Joker.
25:08Here's Dosuno.
25:10Averts the defense.
25:12Conley running the show.
25:14Edwards with the ball.
25:15Shot clock at eight.
25:17Driving through traffic.
25:18Oh, he knifes inside for two.
25:20The best offensive set that they've had so far.
25:24And a lot of it is because Mike Conley's in the game.
25:26He understands the importance of moving the ball.
25:28They gather from one side to the other side to allow them to get that layup.
25:35Under a minute to go in the third.
25:38It's Christian Brown.
25:40He'll drive hard.
25:42Edwards the rebound.
25:53And all you want to do if you're Minnesota is keep it within striking distance on a quarter
26:00that they did not shoot the ball well.
26:02They're still within ten.
26:21And what do you do if your seven-foot-one center is on the bench for Minnesota?
26:26You go to the Joker.
26:28Joker, just too big.
26:30Well, Ant-Man, this was coming off of the set where the ball was reversed.
26:34And saw it from Conley.
26:36And he was able to get down the lane and use his athleticism.
26:38But then right here, trusting in his veteran.
26:40And Conley's been doing all the little things to help this team.
26:43Conley just checked out.
26:45McDaniels comes back in.
26:47There's a difference of a second game clock.
26:49Shot clock winding down the third in this game one.
26:53Wolves have led by 12.
26:55Nuggets have led by 15.
26:57Murray has been in control.
26:5827 points.
26:59That is a game high.
27:01The drop-off pass to Jokic.
27:05Final seconds.
27:07Edwards.
27:08Good if it goes.
27:11Three quarters in the books.
27:13And the Nuggets have grabbed this game by the throat and squeezed.
27:20Fourth quarter coming up.
27:22Nuggets in Minnesota.
27:24You're watching the NBA playoffs presented by Google.
27:29Remember, here's Play Your Game presented by FanDuel.
27:33And the Edwards at 15.
27:35Six and six.
27:38And Nikoli Jokic.
27:40Double-double.
27:41And he's got seven assists.
27:44He led the league in rebounding.
27:45Jokic led the league in assists.
27:48That's a center doing that.
27:49It's never happened where a player has led both rebounding and assists in separate seasons,
27:55let alone in one season until he did it this year.
27:58Yes, and we're looking at Joker's game today, and we're saying, ah, it's like kind of off night.
28:02And you look at the stats, and he has 18, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
28:07The man is a cheat code.
28:09Get better be out.
28:10This NBA playoffs on FanDuel.
28:12Download the app and play your game.
28:15Fourth quarter underway.
28:17Randall looking for the cutting deep in chin zone.
28:19Edwards looks down.
28:20He's in three-point territory.
28:21This is the triple down.
28:23Junis was there and grabs the loose ball.
28:25He's come in with hard away.
28:27Christian Brown.
28:27Oh, Jamal Murray was going the other way and a quick foul.
28:31And Dante DiVincenzo doing a little extra effort to try to get through the handoff,
28:36even though it's 94 feet from the basket, and getting the ball back.
28:40I'm with you, D-Wade.
28:41The most aggressive player on the play usually gets the whistle.
28:45Yes, yes.
28:47Minnesota in the third quarter, six of 23.
28:50Denver, 12 of 26.
28:53Randall, quiet, drives into Johnson, into Valanchunas.
28:56He gets it to go.
28:58He needed to go back.
28:59Yeah, they need to do that.
29:00Exactly.
29:00They need a lot more of that.
29:02Making sure that they become the aggressor, not settling for just outside shots.
29:06Put your head down.
29:07Put your shoulder in the chest and go to that basket and maybe get a foul.
29:11Randall for a 12.
29:12Cam Johnson flies on a foul.
29:16And Valanchunas.
29:20We'll pick up number three coming off the bench.
29:25You're a big man with a long beard, and you just got called for number three.
29:47And that's the playmaking of Randall when you put him near the paint.
29:51He plays bully ball.
29:53You have to bring two, and when he's a distributor, it changes this Minnesota offense.
29:57Nothing the coach loves more than when a team comes out of the timeout and they go on a 9
30:02-2 run like Minnesota did.
30:03That shows you that your team is listening.
30:05That they're aware that if you go out there, they can do it.
30:07And then Jamal says, hold up, wait a minute.
30:16Dosumu around the screen.
30:18Sets, fires, no.
30:21It's a rebound by Christian Brown.
30:27Edwards tethered to Murray.
30:31Cam Johnson.
30:34Off of Minnesota, off of Dosumu, who is in their lunging.
30:3814 on the shot clock.
30:4110-point game.
30:42Nuggets have led by 15.
30:43Wolves earlier by 12.
30:53Cam Johnson, three, missed it all, caught by DiVincenzo.
31:01Randall.
31:02He's been aggressive.
31:03He's inside.
31:04Moving, driving, no.
31:07Numbers, four on one.
31:09Knocked away, DiVincenzo.
31:11What an offensive play by Dante DiVincenzo.
31:16Oh, my goodness, four on one.
31:18He broke it up himself.
31:21That was amazing.
31:23And again, DiVincenzo is not going to get rewarded for that.
31:25But right here, this is incredible.
31:27Going up.
31:29Rejecting the.
31:31Extra effort right there.
31:33I'm all about all floor of our team.
31:35I love when the guys get on the ground like he did,
31:38even though he didn't get the ball.
31:41Rebound by DiVincenzo, and the Brown missed three.
31:45And now Anthony Edwards, sizing him up.
31:48DiVincenzo, it's a three.
31:50It's a Christian Brown rebound.
31:52I want them to go back to Randall.
31:54Go back to what was working.
31:56Don't get away from him.
31:56Randall was getting into the mold that we like to see Randall in.
32:00Play making, man aggressive.
32:03Valanciunas.
32:03It's Murray gouching his way into the defense of Dosumu.
32:08Shot clock at four.
32:10Driving, spinning, shooting, no.
32:15Randall rebound.
32:16Edwards with the ball.
32:18He's got 15.
32:19Long shot.
32:20Goal goal.
32:22And that's one of those go to the basket.
32:24Good shot.
32:24Because he had missed the three before.
32:28Dosumu.
32:30Beautiful triple.
32:33It's a seven-point game in game one.
32:38One, what's in your wallet?
32:41And by McDonald's.
32:44Denver has had one score since Jokic left.
32:50Coming up next, it's game one.
32:53Atlanta in the Knicks.
32:55Jalen Brunson and Jalen Johnson will collide.
33:00Game one next.
33:01Hawks-Knicks on drive.
33:03Oh, that's going to be a good one.
33:05It'll be fun.
33:06Denver has missed three.
33:08Make it Denver has missed ten of the last 11 threes.
33:11They'll take it in.
33:13The dive by Murray.
33:14The rebound, Minnesota.
33:17The intent works the other way.
33:18And Rudy Benzakam Johnson.
33:21The switch with Gordon.
33:23The screen by Gobert.
33:25The three.
33:25Goal under.
33:26That right there was a screen.
33:30As Aaron Gordon is slow to get up, Rudy Gobert.
33:34Impactful in this game.
33:37Gordon McLeod.
33:39Crashing into the defense of Randall inside.
33:42But we knew he wasn't going to fade away on that play.
33:46That's how you get off the ground and come back.
33:48And showing what's up.
33:49But to Minnesota's last possession.
33:51Those are the kind of possessions right there that's needed for Minnesota.
33:55Work the game to get to the shot.
33:56Don't just shoot that first shot.
33:58There's a push.
33:59There's a Denver foul.
34:02Cam Johnson will pick this up.
34:04Watch this screen right here.
34:06Aaron Gordon trying to go over Rudy a little.
34:09Extra freeze up Ant.
34:11And then on the other side.
34:12He's like, okay.
34:13You said 6'8", 235 weight room.
34:16That's Randall he moved out of the way.
34:19Cam Johnson is first.
34:21Here's DiVincenzo.
34:23Gordon there.
34:24Randall behind the back into Cam Johnson.
34:26The cutting Gobert into Jokic.
34:28And yet again, Rudy Gobert playing out of the pocket, playing in the dunker spot has been huge today.
34:35Julius Randall being a playmaker, one of the things that he's really, really good at giving the ball in that
34:40pocket.
34:40He can do a lot of things in there for the season.
34:42Round two.
34:44Christian Brown with the two.
35:03Can't have words.
35:05And DiVincenzo free.
35:08Rebound.
35:09Gobert.
35:15And now Rudy Gobert with 17 points.
35:19I just love how active Rudy has been on both ends of the floor.
35:24And this is one of the best games I've seen Rudy play against Jokic, which is a tough matchup for
35:29him.
35:29But he's really locked into the game plan tonight.
35:32Eight of nine shooting is Gobert.
35:35The miss by Jokic.
35:37The rebound by DiVincenzo.
35:39And it works.
35:43Randall and Brown.
35:48Go soon.
35:49The drive and get it to go.
35:51And the ball got from one side into the paint, out, and it does a great job of attacking the
35:58closeout.
35:58This is why they went out and got him at the trade deadline.
36:01The Timberwolves on a 21-8 run.
36:04Jokic, the collision.
36:07Jokic, the collision, the prime, caught.
36:09Jokic gets it to go.
36:1220 points.
36:15Gobert with a foul.
36:17And there's a fine line between denying Jokic the ball and giving him the advantage.
36:22Rudy gets extended here, and Jokic is just too smart going downhill.
36:26He's too big and too strong.
36:29Right after getting Rudy a compliment, he didn't want to come back and do that.
36:32He got himself out of position.
36:36He's been doing a great job of keeping himself in front of Jokic, in front of his chest.
36:41His first free throw today, 21, 10, and 9.
36:48He's an assist away from a triple double.
36:52He had 34 of them in the regular season.
36:58Gobert brings out Jokic.
37:00Randle, a turnover, and 10 group of numbers.
37:05Jokic, no, in three.
37:08Jokic, yes!
37:25Normally, Rudy is the defensive housekeeper for this team, but today, he's been putting
37:30himself in great position to be a force on the offensive end.
37:34Just his ability to not allow for any play to end, and rebound the ball very well for
37:39this team to get putbacks.
37:40Man, you talk about Jokic.
37:41Slow to start, right?
37:42Didn't take a shot early in the game, but way he works himself back into this game.
37:48We know his video game numbers are the standard, but really, he's having himself a game.
37:53He's one shy of a triple double, and this is a tough outing for Jokic.
37:58That's just how good he is.
38:01Every starter has been in double figures in this one.
38:06The two big men squaring off again.
38:10Two teams that have seen a lot of each other over the last three years.
38:15The most of any two teams over the last three years.
38:18Twenty-eight times in the battle.
38:20Regular season, postseason.
38:22Edwards over play.
38:24Rebound Jennifer, five and a half to go.
38:27And Randall shoving Aaron Gordon on that play.
38:31Aaron coming up lame with his back.
38:35Curtis Brown down low.
38:36That's by McDaniels.
38:38Jokic.
38:40It's a three.
38:41It's a rebound by Christian Brown.
38:43No.
38:44Edwards there.
38:45Five.
38:51And here's what I'm talking about on an Ant Edwards jump shot.
38:55Randall said weight room and pushes Aaron Gordon in the back.
38:59Yeah, this is playoff basketball.
39:01Something small that Aaron Gordon did before he ended up on the floor.
39:05Anthony Edwards was driving to the paint.
39:07He was about to try to drive.
39:08And just Aaron Gordon showing his body, showing he was there, mate, and had to stop and shoot
39:12the pull-up, which fell short.
39:14Just a great defense to play by Aaron Gordon.
39:16Anthony Edwards picked up his fourth foul.
39:19Game two here Monday on NBC Peacock.
39:24Game three in the Twin Cities.
39:26First time back in Minnesota.
39:28That will be on prime.
39:298.30 local on Thursday.
39:32Denver's on a 7-0 run.
39:35It was a two-point game.
39:37And I love the action where Ant Edwards gets the ball back on the back side.
39:42So as not to have the entire defense staring at him.
39:46Randall and Brown.
39:49Julius Randall.
39:50Big basket.
39:51They needed it.
39:52In the paint.
39:54That is where Julius Randall needs to live closing this game out.
39:58I agree, man.
39:59When I think of Julius Randall, I think of power.
40:01He's a power player.
40:02He's a power with score right in there.
40:04He has great touch, great feel.
40:05And he can make plays right by the basket as well.
40:11Joe gets the handoff.
40:12Murray's got the ball.
40:14Back to the corner.
40:16Shot clock at six.
40:18Murray trying to blast.
40:20Murray fires off balance.
40:23Rebound by Edwards.
40:43And Rudy looks like he got a little cute on that play.
40:46Trying to throw a behind-the-back for Denver to take a 106-97 lead here late in the fourth.
40:56And Jokic just picked up the triple-double.
40:59裡нулась.
41:02Wake up the ball.
41:06That noise!
41:11Oh, hahaha just jealous.
41:13It's the police sting boys!
41:17You've got to fight!
41:19for your right
41:21to party
41:32We're back in Denver. The NBA
41:35family proudly continues
41:37its season-long celebration
41:38of America's 250th
41:41anniversary. Through service
41:43and volunteerism, we honor the
41:45spirit, resilience, and unity
41:46that have shaped our nation for two
41:49and a half centuries. Please join
41:51us as we honor America.
41:55This is a big, big possession for
41:58Minnesota. They got the ball within
42:00striking distance and then Rudy
42:02Gobert tied the throw behind the
42:04back drop pass and Jokic capitalizes
42:07on it, like you said, Kevin, for
42:09the triple-double. And it's his
42:1122nd playoff triple-double in 95
42:15playoff games. He does not take
42:18his foot off the gas. Death taxes
42:20and Jokic getting a triple-double.
42:21So, things for certain.
42:25Edwards.
42:28Murray is on him. Four to play.
42:31The shot clock at nine. He tried to
42:33dive and was fouled as he flew.
42:37I like that. He didn't settle.
42:39And it looked like he was going to.
42:41He kept the pressure on Murray,
42:42which made Murray have to stick
42:44their hand in the last minute.
42:46And serving Ant's injury,
42:49sometimes you're going to be
42:50shorter on your jump shots here
42:51down the stretch. So, it's smart
42:53for him to put his head down and
42:55go to the basket.
43:07A team looked like on Jokic and
43:11Julius Randle.
43:13A little talking at the free
43:15throw line.
43:17Zach's got a comment now.
43:19We'll need all that.
43:21Edwards at the straight.
43:33Probably a couple not nice words,
43:36I would say.
43:37Double technical play on.
43:39And that's a great ref who's
43:41understanding to control the game
43:42right now. Do not allow it to get
43:44out of hand.
43:45Give these guys text. Calm it down.
43:47Let's get back to just playing
43:47basketball.
43:53Timberwolves in the last two
43:54postseason is an NBA best 10
43:57road wins. More than Oklahoma
43:59City. More than Boston on the
44:01road. They have thrived.
44:03But they're down here.
44:053.47 to go. McDaniels just picked
44:08up his fourth.
44:14Conte DiVincenzo will leave.
44:16They bring in Ayo Dosumu.
44:19And I've got to think that
44:21they're going to put Aaron
44:22Gordon in the dunker spot and
44:23they're going to have a Jamal
44:24Jokic pick and roll on this
44:26possession.
44:26Murray.
44:29And Gobert with the rebound.
44:32What you say?
44:33Death, Texas, Jokic triple
44:35W and Jamal Wary Jokic pick and
44:37roll.
44:38We added that.
44:40Bruce Brown is on Edwards.
44:43Nudging as well.
44:45Dosumu across the lane.
44:47Rebound Jokic.
44:49Ahead to Gordon.
44:51In the corner.
44:52Brown sets.
44:53Fires.
44:543.
44:55No.
44:56It's an Edwards rebound and
44:57it's quickly off to McDaniels.
44:59And Denver cannot lay the
45:01knockout punch.
45:03Randall got it.
45:04Gobert took one to the head.
45:08And Denver the other way under
45:093 to go.
45:143.
45:153.
45:163.
45:163.
45:18Murray with 29.
45:2015 have come at the free
45:21throw line.
45:220 and 7 from 3.
45:25Gordon.
45:26He'll put up a 3.
45:29Rebound Gobert.
45:33It's McDaniels.
45:34Knifing.
45:35Driving.
45:36Fouled.
45:38Christian Brown.
45:41And McDaniels will go to the
45:43free throw line.
45:46Will not go to the free throw
45:47line.
45:48They called that off the pass
45:49here.
45:53You got to throw that up at the
45:54basket.
45:55Yeah.
45:56Try to get you one.
45:58But I like the aggressiveness of
46:00McDaniels.
46:02Head down.
46:03Put the pressure on the defense.
46:04Make the rest.
46:05Make a decision.
46:06But what's changed the game is
46:08they've gotten in the paint.
46:09Minnesota in this fourth quarter.
46:10They're not taking contested jump
46:11shots.
46:12As Anthony Edwards takes a
46:14contested jump shot.
46:15You'll get with another rebound
46:17right on cue.
46:19Approaching 2 to play.
46:23Triple level with Jokic.
46:2523, 13 and 10.
46:29The veteran Bruce Brown.
46:32Nikola Jokic.
46:35McDaniels knocked it away.
46:36Randle got a hand on it.
46:39That would have counted had it gone.
46:41It's an offensive rebound.
46:43It didn't touch the rim.
46:45Did it?
46:46What happens?
46:48Gordon from Murray.
46:54You just got to continue to keep
46:56playing the game.
46:57It's kind of like it just stopped.
46:58You got to keep playing this game
46:59all the way through.
47:01Edwards through traffic.
47:03That may have been in the
47:03cylinder.
47:04Wipe it away.
47:05He'll not count.
47:12Right here.
47:12The ball grazes the rim on that.
47:18And then these are the positions
47:19we talk about.
47:20Interference plays under view.
47:22I think Rudy got that tip back.
47:24I think it came out.
47:32And then seconds to go
47:34on the interference
47:36initially ruled on Rudy Gobert.
47:38Is it out of the cylinders
47:40the question?
47:41No, it is not.
47:42He tried.
47:42He tried to wait.
47:46It won't make out.
48:01Denver is plus 10
48:03in second chance points.
48:05Minnesota has ruled the paint
48:07they're plus 12.
48:08Aside from that,
48:09it's equal except at the free throw line
48:11where the Nuggets have made 26 points
48:14and the Wolves have made 14
48:16at the free throw strike today.
48:18Well, the Nuggets have been
48:19the aggressive team.
48:20They've initiated contact.
48:22They've seeked the paint.
48:23And they've been rewarded for it.
48:25Confirmed as basket interference.
48:32Each team with two timeouts.
48:34Minnesota a foul to give.
48:361.39 in regulation.
48:40Six ties.
48:41Eight lead changes.
48:42Wolves led early by 12.
48:44Nuggets have led by as many as 15.
48:48If I'm on the coaching staff
48:50of Chris Finch,
48:51I'm clipping up that play
48:53when it seemed like we just froze.
48:55We have to play.
48:56We have to run through the tape
48:57in this game.
48:58This is the playoffs.
48:58We cannot allow for those possessions
49:00to get away from us.
49:01Finish it out.
49:02And they didn't.
49:03And it was the end of getting
49:04a dunk by Aaron Gordon.
49:18And we'll go to the other end.
49:21This right here.
49:23Two guys holding and grabbing.
49:27Usually the ref sees the second one.
49:30Randall number three.
49:32And the ball was not inbound.
49:34So there's a shot
49:36and the Nuggets will get the ball
49:37back on the sideline.
49:42Denver has made
49:4413 consecutive free throws.
49:47Jamal Murray has gone
49:4815 of 15 from the line.
49:53Candace, can I go on a limb right now?
49:57You're going to do it anyway.
49:59It's going to be a great series.
50:00This is going to be a fantastic series.
50:03You know, three of the last four years
50:04to play against a team
50:05in the playoffs.
50:06There's already some I don't like
50:07already coming into the series.
50:09And this is game one.
50:10This is going to be an incredible
50:11and physical series.
50:13And that's what we want.
50:14Yes.
50:1630 points for Jamal Murray.
50:1923 for Jokic.
50:21Minnesota got 20 from Edwards.
50:2417, Gobert.
50:25Goes Sumo off the bench with 14.
50:29And prowling his way over the defense
50:30of Randall.
50:31Is Aaron Gordon with another Randall foul.
50:34And again, Randall did what he was close to.
50:37Got Aaron Gordon to pick the ball up.
50:40And then he fouls.
50:42And Aaron Gordon's going to the free throw line.
50:45Right here.
50:45Look at this defense right here.
50:47Moving your feet.
50:47This is like the drill that you run
50:49ever since you were six years old.
50:51Does a great job.
50:52Gets Aaron Gordon to pick the ball up
50:54and then just fouls.
50:56Just that dislike foul right there.
50:57They've been battling all game.
50:59That's what that foul was right there.
51:01He did his job.
51:0330th free throw attempt right here
51:05for Denver in Minnesota
51:06with 17 attempts.
51:10The disgusted Randall.
51:15Gordon again.
51:17He's missed so much time this year.
51:19Wide hamstring missed
51:2134 games December and February.
51:24Missed some games late in the season.
51:26Missed 23 in the final 36.
51:30It's Gobert.
51:32He'll get the feed and drive.
51:34And it's knocked away.
51:36And Jamal Murray fouls Rudy Gobert.
51:40They want to send Rudy to the free throw line.
51:42They're electing to come off of Rudy
51:44and double and get the ball out of Anthony Edwards' hands
51:46and trust the charity strike.
51:54He's one of three from the free throw line.
51:58That's just great coaching right there.
52:00You know, you have a nine-point lead.
52:01You think that you wouldn't have to go up
52:03and trap Anthony Edwards at the half court.
52:05But just good coaching,
52:06understanding what you want from this
52:08and you want the ball
52:09in Rudy's hands
52:10and you can do exactly what they did.
52:12Foul him until you go to the line.
52:18McDaniels digs it out
52:19and puts up a three.
52:20Rebound Jokic.
52:25Cam Johnson.
52:27We're approaching a minute to go.
52:30It's going to be tough.
52:38Johnson by Randall.
52:42Two-point shot is down.
52:46Timeout Minnesota.
52:48The Nuggets, 52 seconds away
52:52from a Game 1 win
52:56where they have been in Game 1s
52:59over the last couple years.
53:01Exquisite, 7-1
53:03and looking at win number 8 right now
53:05in Game 1.
53:06And the Nuggets did it
53:08in so many different ways.
53:09Obviously, Jamal Murray's fingerprints
53:11were all over that first half.
53:13In those moments,
53:14he rose to the occasion,
53:16got to the free throw line,
53:17got to his mid-range game.
53:18But then Aaron Gordon,
53:19his impact in the second half
53:22with him on the floor,
53:24just the extra hustle plays,
53:25his ability to then guard
53:27at the other end
53:28gives their defense
53:29a physicality that they needed.
53:31If I'm Minnesota,
53:33I mean, definitely if Anthony Edwards
53:34is coming into Game 2
53:36and he's feeling good,
53:37I actually feel good
53:38about a lot of things
53:39that we've done in this game.
53:40Denver Nuggets are at home.
53:42Their role players did play well.
53:44They're supposed to win this game.
53:45And what we can do,
53:46take away the positives,
53:48bring those positives to the game,
53:49and we feel we have a chance
53:51to win Game 2 here.
53:53Coming up next,
53:54it'll be the Atlanta Hawks
53:56in New York
53:57at the Garden
53:57against the Knicks.
53:59It's the third
54:00of our triple header on time.
54:0353 seconds to go.
54:05The Nuggets by
54:07a 1-12, 1-0-1
54:10lead over Minnesota.
54:12Up by 11.
54:13They've led by 15.
54:17The Wolves cut it to two
54:20after a 21-8 run
54:22with six and a half minutes
54:24to go in the fourth quarter.
54:26But Denver has slowly
54:27chipped their way
54:28up the ladder.
54:30And now,
54:31Edwards
54:31will put up a shot
54:33contested by Jokic,
54:35picked up by Gordon,
54:36and this is all she wrote.
54:44Right there,
54:46Ann Edwards,
54:47used to rising above
54:48the defenders.
54:53They'll glide in
54:54for those 20-second points.
54:56Nuggets will have it.
54:57There is a little
54:59timeout taken by Denver.
55:0137 seconds to go.
55:05And the lead of 11.
55:08And we'll step aside
55:10here in Denver.
55:19So here's with the first round
55:21of the Google Playoffs
55:22here in the NBA,
55:23looks like,
55:24West's first round.
55:26Tomorrow,
55:27it's the top seed,
55:28Thunder,
55:28the number one seed
55:29in the NBA.
55:30And the defending champs
55:31against the Suns.
55:33Lakers Rockets tomorrow.
55:35That's tonight,
55:36actually,
55:36on ABC.
55:38Spurs and Blazers
55:40and this game here,
55:41Nuggets and the Wolves.
55:46Boy,
55:47it is,
55:48this West is just treacherous
55:51in every way.
55:52So many good teams.
55:54They got Murray
55:56and Hardaway,
55:58held by DiVincenzo.
56:06and Hardaway will be
56:07at the line.
56:11I think there are
56:12some positives
56:12on both sides, right?
56:14Nuggets,
56:15you were able to fight
56:16through a tougher
56:17first half
56:18where Jokic
56:19wasn't the Jokic
56:21that we're normally seeing.
56:22Came back in the
56:23second half
56:24and battled.
56:24your role player
56:26stepped up
56:26and hit some
56:27big key threes.
56:28And if you're Minnesota,
56:30Rudy's activity
56:30on Jokic,
56:31you can build off that.
56:33The playmaking
56:33of Randall
56:34in the fourth quarter
56:35was key.
56:36And if you can get
56:37Anthony Edwards
56:38on the backside
56:39off the catch,
56:40I think that that's
56:41where they excelled
56:42and came alive
56:43and cut this game
56:43the two.
56:44Jamal Murray
56:45in,
56:45Cam Johnson out.
56:47Brown in Brown
56:48again.
56:49The drive by Randall.
56:51Randall.
56:52Jokic will inbound
56:54to Bruce Brown,
56:56to Christian Brown,
56:57to Jokic.
56:59And down court,
57:01Gordon to Hardaway.
57:02Let's keep away
57:03and game one
57:05will go to Denver.
57:10The Nuggets
57:11have gone
57:11eight and one
57:12in game ones
57:14in the playoffs
57:15over the last
57:16couple years.
57:17The best mark
57:17in the NBA.
57:26Wolves will inbound.
57:28And the Nuggets
57:29will win it,
57:31concluding the game
57:32on a 19-10 run.
57:33Over the last
57:346-10.
57:351-16,
57:371-0-5.
57:43Pretty impressive.
57:44They answered the bell.
57:45Yes, they answered
57:46the bell.
57:47They answered every run
57:47that Minnesota had.
57:49They came out
57:49with a great game plan.
57:50Well, now it's
57:51checkup, right?
57:52Minnesota has to
57:53make some adjustments.
57:54I think that Minnesota
57:55has to really go in
57:56and understand
57:57they didn't turn
57:58the ball over crazy.
57:59They only had 13,
58:00but it was the
58:00timely turnovers
58:02that led to Denver's
58:03easy baskets.
58:04Well, like you said,
58:05they will have to
58:05make some adjustments
58:06and I would love
58:07to see what the
58:07coaches do,
58:08what kind of
58:09adjustments they can
58:09make to come in
58:10here and steal game
58:10two.
58:11Let's go to Allie.
58:13Hey, get Rudy.
58:16As you take a look at
58:17Jokic and everything
58:19that he did tonight,
58:2125 points, 13 rebounds,
58:2411 assists, and some
58:27early turnover trouble
58:28as well.
58:30Yeah, but Jokic is
58:31going to come alive.
58:32You know that.
58:32You can't keep him down
58:34for much longer.
58:36That's all.
58:36Nuggets have taken game
58:38one for Candice Parker,
58:39Dwayne Wade,
58:40Allie Clifton,
58:40Kevin Harlan saying
58:42good afternoon from
58:43Denver.
58:44Now we're going to
58:45take you to
58:46Madison Square Garden.
58:47It's game one in the
58:49East, the Hawks
58:50and the New York Knicks.
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