Minnesota Timberwolves (38-23) beat Denver Nuggets (37-24) 117-108 on the road on Sunday, March 1, after falling far behind. The Timberwolves were down 9 at one quarter break and still finished 9 ahead.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Nuggets had the better start, winning the first 31-22 to lead by 9 after one. The Timberwolves moved in front with a 36-19 second quarter, carrying a 8-point lead into halftime.
The teams matched each other with 32 points apiece in the third quarter, so the Timberwolves remained ahead by 8 entering the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 27-26; the Timberwolves finished the job for a 117-108 regulation win.
What flipped it
The Timberwolves got more from their shots, finishing at 62.4% effective field-goal shooting compared with 51.8% for the Nuggets. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Nuggets did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 23.5 against 12.9. The Timberwolves made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 99 possessions per team, the Timberwolves produced 118 points per 100 possessions to 109 for the Nuggets.
The Timberwolves' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 38-10.
Who carried the comeback
Nikola Jokic was the game's biggest individual force for DEN: 35 pts, 13 reb, 9 ast on 15-26 shooting. His Game Score of 31.2 led everyone. His team was +4 with him on the floor.
Donte DiVincenzo led the Timberwolves with 17 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast on 5-10 shooting, good for a 17.2 Game Score.
Nikola Jokic (35 pts, 13 reb, 9 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
By our Win Meter this was an upset: The Timberwolves entered with about a 32% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 4-3.
The Timberwolves are now 38-23, and the Nuggets are 37-24. The Timberwolves last five before this game: W-W-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.