Finals in the NBA: Timberwolves crush Nuggets, advancing to Game 7

We have a seventh game thanks to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Using the defensive prowess that had made them the most stingy team in the NBA during the regular season, the Timberwolves destroyed the Denver Nuggets 115-70 in Game 6 on Thursday to save their season. Sunday in Denver (time to be announced) is Game 7.

The margin of victory was the second biggest by an NBA team in elimination.

With 27 points, Anthony Edwards drove the victory and seemed prepared for his first career Game 7. When he was on the court, Minnesota outscored the Nuggets 43 points, a club playoff record.

The whole game represented a startling shift in series momentum. The Nuggets had won their past three games, and they had looked their best in a rout in Game 5. The Timberwolves needed a boost, and a boisterous Target Center crowd provided one.

That throng received their wish early. The Timberwolves’ 27-2 run after a back-and-forth couple minutes established a lead that would never drop below double figures. By then the game was still going strong, but for the first time since their crushing defeats in Games 1 and 2, the Nuggets were on the back foot.

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Regaining control, the Timberwolves ran 13-0 and ended the half with a buzzer-beater by Jaden McDaniels.

While the advantage never dropped below 19 points in the second half, Edwards’ harsh foul late in the third quarter gave the Timberwolves a different type of fright. Though he spent more than a minute facedown on the floor and almost immobile, he continued to play and didn’t seem to be severely injured.

Minutes later, the Timberwolves fans were yelling “Wolves in seven,” as their side went on a 24-0 run to increase the margin to 49.

Will Game 7 see the Timberwolves breakthrough?

There will be a different vibe Sunday for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota is going into the home of the league MVP and the reigning champion, as good as it appeared on Thursday. The Nuggets have previously shown this series that they can turn around a depressing loss, winning Game 3 by 27 points after losing Game 2 by 26 points.

In a series typified by erratic turns of events, Denver will host a hostile crowd against a squad with more postseason experience. Though they should be aware that Game 6’s performance won’t matter much once the ball is tipped again, the Timberwolves shouldn’t regret defeating the Nuggets by 45 points.