Nuggets Beat Timberwolves 116-105 in Game 1

Denver, Colorado - Jamal Murray poured in 30 points on perfect 16-for-16 shooting from the free-throw line, and Nikola Jokic recorded a 25-point triple-double to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series on Saturday.

The Nuggets, playing at home, overcame an early double-digit deficit to seize control in the second half, extending their winning streak to 13 games. Jokic finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while Aaron Gordon added 17 points and eight rebounds after sitting out much of the first half due to foul trouble. The physical contest featured 42 fouls, including a flagrant foul on Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels for shoving Jokic in the back and an unsportsmanlike technical on McDaniels, as well as a technical on Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman.

Minnesota jumped out to a lead of as many as 12 points in the first quarter, holding Jokic to just six points and forcing four turnovers from the three-time MVP. Gordon picked up three quick fouls, including an offensive call that prompted Adelman’s technical, limiting Denver’s frontcourt presence early....