By Daniel Paiz

It was a battle from start to finish, but the Denver Nuggets falter in the fourth quarter to lose 106-99 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Nikola Jokic scored 32 points, slung out nine assists and grabbed eight rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 17 points and dished out four assists. Denver’s bench chipped in 15 points.

Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 43 points and had seven rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points, and Naz Reid was big off the bench in the fourth quarter, finishing with 16 points. Minnesota now has a 1-0 series lead and will have to anticipate more pressure from Denver in Game 2.

Keys to the Game

42 to 34

Minnesota won the rebounding battle 42 to 34. While Rudy Gobert was a non-factor scoring wise, he grabbed 13 rebounds and was the only player on the court with double digit boards. In an off night for Jaden McDaniels, he too contributed to Minnesota’s cause with eight rebounds. When Jokic does not get double digit rebounds it’s going to be a tougher night for Denver. Rebounds are the effort stat, and Denver will need to box out and crash the glass more in Game 2 to help their cause.

Needing to Disrupt Edwards

43 points for Edwards was one of two key factors as to why the Wolves won Saturday night. Denver knows Edwards is a prolific scorer, and will have to hassle, disrupt, and force the ball out of his hands more in this series. In Game 1, the rise of Naz Reid in the fourth allowed Minnesota to pull out the win and was the other key factor; that won’t always be the case in close situations.

Towns is a guy who will not often respond like Edwards in the playoffs. Gobert usually won’t either. Mike Conley can step up his scoring if needed, but also is inconsistent. If Denver can get the ball out of Edwards’ hands and frazzle Reid as well, the rest of that team isn’t consistent enough to respond.

The little things give it away

Aaron Gordon’s rebounding is a little thing that’s been overlooked at times this season. In the first round, he had two huge rebounds that led to big time second chance scores for Denver. While he has quite the assignment on defense already, he’s got to grab a few more rebounds this series. Jokic is in a similar boat, but the good news is Gobert and Towns won’t outmuscle the Joker for a whole series.

Michael Porter Jr. has been consistent for Denver and as long as he can add around 20 points a night, the Nuggets are in good shape. It’s the bench that has to step up a bit more. In particular, Peyton Watson has to get going; however, that doesn’t primarily mean in the scoring department. While points from Watson are absolutely a bonus, it’s his rebounding and blocks that can really help Denver when second unit guys are on the floor. His effort and impact there can help win the rebound battle, and ultimately a bounce back for Denver in Game 2 on Monday.