MINNEAPOLIS — The Nuggets finally clapped back.
After getting blown out by the Timberwolves in the first two games of their second-round NBA playoff series, Denver went on the road to claim Game 3 from Minnesota on its home court with a 117-90 win on Friday night.
It was a crucial victory for the Nuggets to avoid going down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, a deficit no team has been able to overcome in NBA history.
Jamal Murray, who was fined $100,000 for losing his cool in Game 2, had a bounce-back performance with a game-high 24 points -- which set the tone for Denver.
Newly-crowned 3x MVP Nikola Jokic was one assist shy from recording yet another playoff triple-double with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists.
Defensively, Denver finally had success shutting down Minnesota star Anthony Edwards, who had gone off for 70 points over the first two games of the series. Edwards mustered just a quiet 19 points to lead the Timberwolves.
Minnesota also struggled from the 3-point line, going only 10-for-33 (30.3%) from beyond the arc. Denver boasted a much better 3-point shooting percentage with 48.3% (14-for-29).
Game 4 is scheduled for 6 p.m. (MT) Sunday at Target Center in Minneapolis. It also forces at minimum a Game 5, which will return to Denver at Ball Arena on Tuesday.
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