Nuggets crush Timberwolves to take 2-0 series lead

Jamal Murray scored 40 points and Nikola Jokic added 27 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who blew an early 21-point lead and trailed 89-87 heading into the fourth quarter.

Murray was the star of the show, draining bucket after bucket as the Nuggets sought to take command of the series. 

"It's nice," Murray said. "It's nice having a crowd. They got me going. That fires us up and gives us a lot of life even when we're not playing our best."

Anthony Edwards had 41 points for the Wolves, who shot a sizzling 81% in the third quarter to erase a 64-59 halftime deficit. 

Minnesota had shot just 39% in the first half, just slightly better than it did in a 29-point loss in the series opener Sunday night.

This is the first time the Nuggets have taken a 2-0 lead in a series under head coach Michael Malone.

 "What we have to do is not be satisfied," Malone said. 

"If you're going to be a great team, you've got to be selfish. Be selfish man. Let's go up and get Game 3. Let's not be complacent."

The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday night.