DENVER (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 21 points, Bones Hyland scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half against his former team, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Nuggets 117-108 on Sunday to move one game ahead of the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves swept their opponents in three games to move into fourth place in the Western Conference with a 38-23 record, defeating the Denver Nuggets for the first time in four games this season.
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Just two games separate third-seeded Houston and the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who host Sacramento later Sunday.
“When you look at the standings, everybody in the league knows what’s most important, and every night these games feel so important,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said before the game.
Nikola Jokic finished with 35 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, but was unable to lead the Nuggets over their Northwest Division rival. Jamal Murray made 9 of 22 shots and 4 of 6 three-pointers, scoring 25 points.
Denver has lost four of six games since the All-Star break. Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has been out since Jan. 30 with a hamstring injury, and Peyton Watson has been out with a hamstring strain.
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Minnesota led 58-50 at halftime and led 83-69 after Donte DiVincenzo hit three 3-pointers. Denver tied the game at five late in the third quarter, but the Timberwolves led 104-92 with 7:05 left.
Murray provided a spark with a breakaway dunk over Rudy Gobert, but Minnesota responded with five straight points, including Edwards’ three-pointer to make it 109-96. The Nuggets narrowed the deficit to 7 points in the final 3 minutes and 49 seconds.
Next
Timberwolves: Host Memphis on Tuesday night.
Nuggets: At Utah on Monday night.
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