It wasn't so much another slow start or Anthony Edwards' 43 points that bothered Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone after the Minnesota Timberwolves thumped the reigning NBA champions 106-99 in the opener of their NBA Western Conference semi-final series.
It was more how the Nuggets allowed Edwards to ignite his supporting cast as the Wolves improved to 5-0 in the playoffs and sent the Nuggets to a series deficit, something they never had last year while winning it all.
"I wasn't worried about the start. It was 18-4. Jamal Murray didn't practice all week, couldn't make a shot. I'm more worried about our second-half defense," said Malone.
"I think at one point they were shooting 90 percent after half-time."
The Timberwolves finished with a 73.7 percent clip in the third quarter, and those 14 baskets in 19 shots helped them erase a 44-40 half-time deficit and take a 73-68 lead into the fourth quarter, where Minnesota stayed hot, hitting 13 of 19 shots. That's 27 of 38 in the second half for a 71 percent shooting clip.
"Naz Reid got going. Karl-Anthony Towns got going. Mike Conley got going," said Malone, who was unhappy with his side's lack of "discipline and physicality."
Edwards scored 25 of his points in the first half, but he had very little help from his teammates until they came out of the locker room and couldn't miss.
Nikola Jokic led Denver with 32 points, Michael Porter Jr added 20 and Murray finished with 17 after going scoreless in the first half.
Anthony Edwards is guarded by Aaron Gordon, left, and Nikola Jokic. AP
