Timberwolves dismantle the Edwards-led champion Nuggets

The Timberwolves maintained a good handle on the Nuggets from last year’s playoffs and were eliminated in the first round with a 4-1 win. They were certainly right in their first meeting of the year with the champions, whom they dismantled 110-89 in Minnesota, handing them their first defeat of the year.

Anthony Edwards led the way with 24 points, Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and Mike Conley 17 for a Minnesota that never lost a lead, scoring 63-44 in the first half and never looking back.

For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic was on his own with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamal Murray had 14 points on 5/16 shooting and was the only other Denver player in double figures.

THE DODECALEPTA: 28-21, 63-44, 89-72, 110-89

TIMBER WOLVES: Gordon 4, Porter 5 (2/11 shots, 0/5 three-pointers, 5 rebounds), Jokic 25 (1/6 three-pointers, 10 rebounds, 5 turnovers), Murray 14 (5/16 shots, 1 three-pointer). -Pointer, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), Caldwell-Pope 6 (1), Nagy 9 (1 3-pointer, 5 rebounds), Key, Tyson 2, Watson 4, Holliday 3 (1), Jackson 2, Pickett 2, Brown 8 (9 rebounds), Strother 5 (1/6 three-pointers)

NUGGETS: McDaniels 6 (9 rebounds), Gober 4 (0/7 shots, 12 rebounds), Towns 21 (7/19 shots, 1 three-pointer, 8 rebounds), Conley 17 (3 three-pointers, 6 assists), Edwards 24 (1) , Minot 2, Anderson 9 (1), Brown 4, Reed 16 (1), McLuffin, Milton 2, Alexander-Walker 5 (1)