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In Denver’s lone home game of the preseason, the Timberwolves lost them 114-112. The Nugget starters played well and kept the team afloat, but once out Denver struggled to maintain their lead. MPJ shot well by three points 4-8 with 16 points and Jokic flirted with a triple-double scoring 10 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds.
The story of the game was Bones Hyland. He was electric and when the Nuggets needed it most, Bones kindled some energy in the squad. In the first two preseason games he shot two threes deep with 2:00 or less and missed both, but in the 4th quarter tonight he hit one to give Denver a lead of two. points with 10 seconds to go. The next possession he made a crucial defensive error in letting Minnesota lead to the basket to send the game into overtime, but his performance showed his potential to a lot of people tonight.
1st trimester
- Denver started the game slow as their first possession ended in a shot clock violation but followed it up with a Monte and a three MPJ
- Defense choked early, forcing 7 early turnovers, high activity, good rotations, defenders cluttered Timberwolves space
- Jokic started slowly committing 2 fouls and no points at 5:00 am of the match
- The Nuggets took a 21-6 lead with 4:30 left in the quarter
- Well shot from three to 6-11 of three until the bench cools them down
- Top scorers: Morris – 6, Okogie – 4
Score: 26-19 Denver
2nd trimester
- Timberwolves bench helped cut Denver’s lead, dominated Denver bench 17-5 early, 29-9 overall in halftime
- The Nuggets have missed 11 consecutive shots, including 7 to three
- The Timberwolves recover from a 15-point deficit to take the 32-30 lead with 7:10 left, once Jokic left the game Denver went into a downward spiral
- The Nuggets continued to miss several shots, returned the ball and gave the Timberwolves easy transition opportunities
- The Nuggets started to force themselves to the basket and equalized the game after losing 6, the starters regained stability
- Best scores: Jokic – 10, Towns – 8
Score: 49-47 Denver
3rd trimester
- Bones started the second half and hit two three-pointers from the start, Denver started the quarter 3-3 from three
- Nuggets’ lackluster transition defense keeps Minnesota in game after hot start
- Bones’ 4-point game set the crowd on fire and gave Denver an 11-point lead
- Denver found their threesome in the 3rd and Bones was the 3rd highlight with 18 in the quarterfinal
- Best scores: Hyland – 18, Towns – 12
Score: 83-76 Denver
4th quarter
- Most of the bench started on the 4th, looked a bit confused on defense and stagnant on the perimeter offensively
- Cancar two straight buckets hampered Minnesota’s momentum a bit
- Bol continued his sporadic play, a good play followed by a loss of focus on the other end
- The activity and energy level of the nuggets decreased, committing several turnovers and giving offensive rebounds
- Denver went five straight minutes without scoring a goal on the pitch
- If there’s one thing Bol can do, it’s blocked shots with 4 in the quarterback, helping to ignite Denver’s energy and maintain the lead.
- Nnaji fouled the Timberwolves by playing 4 points to give them a one point lead with 22 seconds left
- Bones gave the go-ahead three, four feet beyond the arc to give Denver a two-point lead with 10 seconds remaining
- Denver gave up a wide open lane for the dunk to send the game to OT
- Top scorers: Hyland – 21, Beasley – 13
Score: 101-101
Over time
- The Nuggets started the quarter with a Cancar three and two free throws from Bol to give them a three-point lead
- Cancar hit three more with a three-point game following possession to give Denver a 7-point lead
- Some fatigue eased some Denver turnovers as Minnesota tied the game
- Howard misses the go-ahead with three for the win
- Best scores: Bones 21, Beasley 13
Final score: 114-112
Next game: October 13 @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 6:00 p.m.
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