The Denver Nuggets encountered a snag as they were finishing their road trip in the Twin Cities on Tuesday night, where they were winning handily. It was a game, and the pickaxes were in danger after a huge run by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA’s top closing team then arrived to complete the task and give the Nuggets a crucial 115-112 victory.

Minnesota was tiny, devoid of bigs, for a game that was so big. Among the players sidelined for an extended amount of time are Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, who sustained injuries during Monday’s Wolves game. Kyle Anderson, a striker for the Wolves, started at the five after that, although he was flagged for three fouls in the first few minutes. At halftime, Denver led by fifteen points thanks to a rare assistless half from Nikola Jokic, who concentrated on scoring.

However, the Wolves made a comeback in the third quarter, maintaining their momentum until eventually taking a four-point advantage in the final frame. With 26 points from Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards spearheaded the comeback with a game-high 30 points.

Michael Malone remarked, “Well, you know, you always take a division when and to end the road trip.” It will not always be attractive. And I believed that we played well in the first half. We played well in the third quarter, but they took the initiative and had us right on their tail.

As usual, Jokic returned to the team alongside Michael Porter Jr., and Denver quickly jumped out to a 10-0 lead, with the Nuggets never looking back.

To our credit, we may have run up 18 to 6 in the fourth quarter. With his timely shotmaking, Michael Porter Jr. played a significant role in that, according to Malone. “After a win, I would much rather watch a movie and tidy up.”

Jokic easily scored 36 points, pulled down 16 rebounds, and only had two assists. Jamal Murray had a strong first half, finishing with 18 points and 11 assists, while Porter finished with 26 points and four rebounds.

Malone remarked, “Nikola is going to read the game and they were sending bodies at him.” “You believe he will make the appropriate plays. I do not think I have ever seen him have zero assists at the half, but the defense was giving us the lead because we were ahead by fifteen.

Given Minny’s lack of star power, the game may not have much of an impact on potential playoff matchups, but it did influence the location of that series. This season, Minny defeated Denver in their first meeting, and the Nuggets have now won the second. These two teams will play each other in two more games soon. Denver may need to win both of those games in order to advance above Minnesota in the standings tiebreaker. With the Nuggets’ victory, they virtually tied the Thunder for first place in the West, although OKC has the advantage in the tiebreaker. Denver now leads the Wolves by the entire game.

On Thursday, the Nuggets will entertain the New York Knicks at home.