Christian Braun’s smile was icier than a Minnesota lake in December.
Denver’s rookie had a cold, calculated grin after he and Timberwolves veteran Kyle Anderson needed to be separated late in the third quarter. Anderson’s frustration came as a result of Braun’s tenacious defense, but also the relentless pounding Denver was hanging on Minnesota.
The Nuggets looked and acted like the No. 1 seed late Sunday night, throttling the visiting Timberwolves, 109-80, in Game 1 of their best-of-7 first-round playoff series.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic toyed with Minnesota’s ballyhooed frontcourt, amassing 13 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter.