DENVER – The many personalities of the Timberwolves were on full display in their 122-113 Game 2 loss to Denver.
For the first half, they looked out of their league, disinterested and fell behind as much as 21. Then, just as it seemed they might take their ball and go home, they turned on a breathless display on both ends in the third quarter to get back in the game and take the lead headed into the fourth.
Anthony Edwards regained the All-Star form he had for most of the season with 41 points. He and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who had 40 points, put on a show for those who stayed up to watch the late tipoff – and didn't turn off the TV when the Wolves were down 15 at the half.
But no Wolves personality in the playoffs is more confounding, enigmatic, or is a summation of the up-and-down nature of this team the last two postseasons than Karl-Anthony Towns. If his line in the box score was different, perhaps the Wolves complete their comeback.
Towns scored just 10 points. He had more turnovers (five) than made field goals (three), and that wasn't going to cut it for the Wolves when Denver's MVP center Nikola Jokic nearly had a triple double with 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
"Definitely stings, it hurts," Towns said. "The first shot of the game was a floater that went everywhere but in, but it's cool – it's all right. Not too high, not too low. Keep it even keel, just get ready for Game 3. I trust my ability. I work too hard, so I'm not losing no confidence. I ain't losing anything like that. I'm going to take my shot every time."
Towns' first half mirrored just how miserable the Wolves' first half was as a whole: 0-for-4 for two points and four turnovers.
For all the talk of improving their transition defense, the Wolves allowed 19 fast-break points and fell behind by 21. Bad offense (39% shooting) led to bad defense and the snowball that cost them Game 1 kept rolling downhill in Game 2.