Wolves stifiled by Nuggets energy, blown out at home in Game 3

Yeah, this sucks.

Final: Denver Nuggets 117 Minnesota Timberwolves 90
Stats:
Minnesota:
Starters:
J. McDaniels 10 pts 4-6 FG 0-2 3PT 2-4 FT 3 REB 1 STL 2 BLK
R. Gobert 6 pts 3-5 FG 0-2 FT 4 REB 1 AST
K. Towns 14 pts 4-7 FG 4-5 3PT 2-2 FT 5 REB 3 AST
M. Conley 10 pts 3-9 FG 1-5 3PT 3-3 FT 6 REB 6 AST 1 STL
A. Edwards 19 pts 8-15 FG 3-8 3PT 6 REB 5 AST 1 BLK
Bench:
J. Minott 3 pts 1-3 FG 1-2 3PT 2 REB 2 AST 6 min
TJ Warren 0 pts 0-2 FG 0-1 3PT 2 REB 1 AST 6 min
K. Anderson 3 pts 1-3 FG 1-2 FT 1 AST 2 STL
L. Garza 8 pts 2-2 FG 4-4 FT 2 REB 6 min
N. Reid 7 pts 2-7 FG 1-3 3PT 2-2 FT 1 REB 1 AST 1 STL
M. Morris 4 pts 1-4 FG 0-1 3PT 2-2 FT 1 REB 6 min
J. McLaughlin 0 pts 0-3 FG 0-3 3PT 0-2 FT 1 AST 8 min
N. Alexander-Walker 6 pts 2-5 FG 0-3 3PT 2-2 FT 2 AST

Game summary:
From the jump, Denver came out with much more intensity and physicality then Minnesota. It showed early on. The Nuggets also couldn't miss a shot. While the Wolves kept up with them for most of the 1st quarter, it wouldn't last. Minnesota isn't built to get into a high scoring affair with Denver, and they soon went cold. The Wolves would find themselves down 18 at half. Nothing said at halftime would seem to fix this, as Minnesota continued the downward spiral. Nothing seemed to click and the Nuggets just had all the answers. 
Now, on the other hand, Minnesota really wasn't allowed to be physical - and that started fairly early on too. If your name wasn't Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray, you got called for anything like a minor bump to a major shove. Rudy Gobert got called for a foul guarding Jokic, when Gobert completely barreled right into him and he wasn't driving downhill to the basket, just posting up. But, many figured this would happen since the crew was led by infamous Tony Brothers - who is notorious for calling a hyper focused game against Minnesota. The Wolves just couldn't quite overcome any of that.
Now, I don't see this game as a cause for alarm, since this is an adjustment thing. Denver adjusted and punched the Wolves in the mouth. On Sunday, we will see how they respond. 

Injury Report
Nickeil Alexander-Walker left the game early in the 4th quarter after he appeared to injure his left shoulder, which he also appeared to injure earlier in the game. He went to the locker room. As of now, the Wolves have not listed him on the injury report heading into Game 4, so I am expecting this to be a non-issue.

Up Next
Minnesota and Denver will battle again in Game 4, that could prove to be a defining moment in the series. Tipoff is at 7 PM, tomorrow night at Target Center, and will be broadcast on TNT.

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