5 Standout statistics from Minnesota's Game 1 win
By Austin McGee
3. 26 points off 12 Denver turnovers
Denver's propensity for turnover-free play was mentioned earlier in the article. On a deeper level, the Nuggets averaged the fifth-fewest turnovers per game in the league. The squad only rostered two players who turned the ball over more than 1.5 times per contest.
In the postseason, Denver has continued to play mistake-free basketball. The Nuggets averaged 11.2 turnovers per game against the Lakers—a 1.3 per game decrease from their mark in the regular season.
Although the Wolves were one of the best teams at forcing turnovers in the regular season, the squad only forced 12 giveaways on Saturday. Despite Denver taking relatively good care of the ball, Minnesota made the Nuggets' turnovers count. The Wolves scored 26 points off Nuggets turnovers.
Minnesota was decisive after a Denver turnover. Whether it be a fast break or slowing it down in the halfcourt, the Wolves made the most of the Nuggets' mistakes. Edwards especially feasted on the Nuggets turnover woes.
The Wolves young star forced the action by driving to the rim or pulling up whenever he found an opening in the mid-range. Not known as a tempo-pushing team, the Wolves are a rare breed that revels in its opponent's mistakes without forcing the action in the fastbreak.