Anthony Edwards guts out a Game 2 road win, and more takeaways from Timberwolves-Nuggets

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksFirst-Round PredictionsHollinger's Playoff PreviewThe Bucks' Season From HellPlayer Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Playoffs Anthony Edwards remains hobbled but still put up 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on Monday night. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Share article7DENVER — Anthony Edwards finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds, and the No. 6-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves beat the No. 3 Nuggets 119-114 in Game 2 at Ball Arena on Monday to even their first-round Western Conference series at one game apiece. Edwards and the Timberwolves had to battle back, falling behind by as many as 19 points early in the second quarter before going into halftime tied 64-64. Late in the fourth quarter, Minnesota went on a 12-3 run to take the lead. The Nuggets had a chance to tie the score at 115 with 19.1 seconds remaining, but Christian Braun made only one of two free-throw attempts. The Timberwolves’ Julius Randle was fouled on the ensuing possession and he made both free throws, giving him 24 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists. Donte DiVincenzo hit a big 3-pointer, his fourth of the game, to put the Timberwolves ahead 115-111 with 1:05 left. He finished with 16 points. Minnesota slowed down Nikola Jokić in the first half, but the finalist for the NBA’s MVP award scored 16 in the third quarter and finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Jamal Murray had 30 points, seven assists and seven rebounds for Denver. Game 3 is Thursday in Minnesota. Here are some takeaways from Monday’s game. Rudy Gobert put together a herculean effort against the best offensive player in the world. On the same day he finished fourth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, Gobert stood tall all night long against Jokić, forcing him into an 8-for-20 night, and the Wolves are heading home tied in the series because of it. Jokić looked flustered all night against the four-time DPOY. He was 1 for 7 from 3, and only had eight assists in the game. Jokić had 24 points and 15 rebounds, but he worked for every one of them. Gobert battled foul trouble and then put the clamps on the three-time MVP in the fourth. Minnesota outscored Denver 29-21 in the final quarter, shutting down the best offense in the league. This is why Tim Connelly traded all those draft picks for Gobert four years ago. He has changed the culture in Minnesota, making a once-hapless Timberwolves defense its biggest strength. Gobert’s only bucket of the game was a putback dunk after dispatching Jokić on an offensive rebound in the fourth. Gobert has been terrific in these first two games. He had 17 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1. — Jon Krawczynski The good news for the Denver Nuggets, who are suddenly at a disadvantage in this best-of-seven series? Jokić has yet to establish his usual dominance. In fact, by the standards of the three-time MVP, he has been ordinary, underscored by his 8-for-20 shooting performance in Game 2, including 1-for-7 in the fourth quarter. “We can play better, we know that,” Denver coach David Adelman said. Much of the credit should go to Gobert, who has poked the ball away repeatedly and made it tough for Jokić to finish, but Jokić has deferred for much of this series, choosing to pass more than assert himself with his shot. In Game 1 he had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, and on Monday he finished with 24-15-8, but he never controlled the game and threw up two airballs. Game 3 is Thursday in Minneapolis, and for the Nuggets, they have to feel like their franchise player will once again show his dominance. Or, does Rudy have his number? — Jason Quick Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms