Denver – Minnesota 99:106, Minnesota surprised Denver at the start of the NBA quarterfinals, Edwards scored 43 points

In the regular season, both teams scored two wins in each other’s matches. The last time Denver succeeded. But Minnesota entered the quarterfinal series better. After an even halftime, she dominated the second half with 11 points after other teammates joined Edwards. The best substitute of the season, Naz Reid, also played a big part in the win, scoring 14 of his 16 points in the last quarter.

“In the first half it was mainly about Edwards, but in the second we didn’t have enough discipline and physicality and they did what they wanted. All of a sudden, Reid, Towns, Conley were pushing and the game got away from us,” Denver coach Michael Malone regretted. “But mainly Edwards destroyed us. There is no weakness in his game. It will be a real challenge to slow him down,” he added.

Minnesota played accurately in the second half, shooting 71 percent. “It was a very good team performance. We trusted each other. It didn’t matter who was taking the shots, we were just stronger as a team. It’s always a lot of fun to play against the best player and the best team,” said Edwards, who also battled with his teammates under coach Chris Finch.

He tore his knee ligament in a collision with a player in the round of 16 series and had to undergo surgery. Although he was sitting behind the bench today, he was coached by assistant Micah Nori and only went to Finch for advice. “All the baskets we made were after my signals. And what we didn’t give were Finch’s decisions,” Nori joked. “Coach Finch was great. It worked very well for us,” he added seriously.

32 points from Nikola Jokic and 20 points from Michael Porter didn’t help Denver either. “We have to do a much better job. Especially in defense. And make it more difficult for them to shoot,” said Jokič.