Denver Nuggets beat Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 at home on Monday, April 27, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Nuggets had the better start, winning the first 34-29 to lead by 5 after one. The Nuggets kept the pressure on with a 26-22 second quarter, carrying a 9-point lead into halftime.
The Nuggets won the third 37-24 to create some separation, taking a 22-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 38-28; the Nuggets held on for a 125-113 regulation win.
What decided it
The Nuggets took better care of the ball, turning it over on 15.2% of possessions compared with 23.3% for the Timberwolves. The Nuggets got more from their shots, finishing at 63.3% effective field-goal shooting compared with 58% for the Timberwolves. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Timberwolves did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 27.3% against 14.7%. The Nuggets made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 106 possessions per team, the Nuggets produced 117.9 points per 100 possessions to 106.5 for the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 40-27.
Who made the difference
Nikola Jokic was the game's biggest individual force for DEN: 27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast on 9-15 shooting. His Game Score of 30.9 led everyone. His team was +18 with him on the floor.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 27 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast on 8-15 shooting, good for a 21 Game Score.
Nikola Jokic (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Nuggets about a 69% chance.
Across the last 12 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 8-4.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.