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Anthony Edwards scored 43 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they beat the Denver Nuggets 106-99 in the opening game of their NBA Western Conference semi-final series.<\/b><\/p>\n
Edwards made 17 of 29 shots from the floor, while making three from seven from three-point range and all six of his free throws.<\/p>\n
The defeat means the Nuggets are trailing in a play-off series for the first time since losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round in 2022.<\/p>\n
“My team-mates trust me in every position in critical moments in the game. I try to come through for them,” said Edwards.<\/p>\n
“It’s tough here. The altitude, their team, the crowd. I’m proud of my teammates. They came out and fought super-hard.”<\/p>\n
The game was tied at 84-84 before Minnesota went on an 18-7 run on the way to victory.<\/p>\n
Nikola Jokic top scored for the Nuggets, who are defending champions, with 32 points but he was also pressured into a game-high seven turnovers.<\/p>\n
The next game of the best-of-seven-series will be on Monday in Denver.<\/p>\n
“There’s a lot we can clean up and get better at and we’re going to have to,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone. <\/p>\n
“Played no defence in the third and you can’t just trade baskets with that team. There’s a lot that we’ll look at in the film and try and clean up.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n