Wolves gorge on Nuggets to force Game 7

MANILA, Philippines -- The Minnesota Timberwolves forced a Game 7 in their Western Conference semis series with Denver after devouring the Nuggets, 115-70, at the Target Center in Minneapolis Friday (Manila time).

After losing the last three games, the Wolves returned to Minnesota on a mission, leading by as much as 50 points, as they trounced the defending NBA champions to force the do-or-die match.

Anthony Edwards led the pack with 27 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jaden McDaniels added 21.

With their backs against the wall, the Wolves bared their fangs as early as the first quarter, going on a 20-0 run after trailing 2-9, to go up, 22-9.

This sparked Minnesota, which ran away and never looked back.

After a Christian Braun dunk cut the lead to 25, 63-88, the Wolves once again unleashed 24 straight points capped by a Luka Garza jumper with five minutes remaining to go up, 112-63.

A split from the line by Peyton Watson finally halted the furious rally, but a pair of freebies by Garza gave Minnesota a 50-point lead, 114-64.

In the final quarter, Minnesota allowed just nine points for Denver as they scored 29.

After the game, head coach Chris Finch lauded his team for responding in the must-win situation.

“There were two responses. There was the response in the last three games, but the most important response was when we got down 9-2,” Finch said.

“We did a really good job focusing and coming back with the right energy, getting our defense in place and they were getting loose in transition. We did a really good job there and once we get our defense in place, we liked our chances,” he added.

For his part, McDaniels underscored that the series is not over yet.

“It’s always good to win, but it’s not over yet. We’ll just keep this intensity in the next game,” McDaniels said.

The returning Mike Conley chipped in 13, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid had 10 markers apiece. 

Nikola Jokic powered the Nuggets with 22 points and nine rebounds. 

This is the second largest win for a team facing elimination.

Game 7 will be in Denver on Monday (Manila time).