The Timberwolves entered Monday's game without Rudy Gobert, their defensive anchor. The likely NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the team's coaching staff have tried to install consistency, effort and attention to detail in the team's defense ever since his arrival in Minnesota.

His teammates did him proud with a stifling defensive effort in a 106-80 win over the Nuggets.

The Wolves now have a 2-0 series lead over the defending champions with Game 3 on Friday at Target Center.

The defense the Wolves played in the first half was the stuff coaches could use in instruction films at all levels all over the country. Those that think the NBA doesn't have defense should watch a replay of Monday's game.

The Wolves were relentless, suffocating and physical. They made the Nuggets miserable, particularly Jamal Murray, who was so frustrated that he was caught on camera throwing a heat pack onto the floor during live action in the second quarter. Murray, who has been playing through an injured left calf, finished with eight points on 3-for-18 shooting.

"We've had some really good defensive efforts this year, but that has to be right up there with the best of them," Wolves coach Chris Finch said.

The Wolves won the second quarter 33-15 and had a 61-35 lead at the half. That 26-point halftime lead was the largest halftime lead in a road game against a defending champion since Cleveland over the Bulls in 1992.

Much like Game 2 of the Phoenix series, the Wolves took an opponent who was confident it could make adjustments after a Game 1 loss and cast serious doubt in their ability to win the series. The Wolves are now 6-0 in the postseason.

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns provided the scoring with Towns getting off to a 7-for-8 start on his way to 27 points. Towns added 12 rebounds. Edwards revved his motor in the second quarter and finished with 27 points and seven assists.

The Wolves also got scoring from their bench with 14 points each for Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid. Alexander-Walker also had three blocks while Reid had four.

Denver center Nikola Jokic finished with 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists.

At one point, after an Edwards layup in the fourth quarter, Wolves fans in the building began chanting "MVP" as Denver fans made their way to the exits. When coach Chris Finch and assistant Micah Nori pulled the starters late in the fourth quarter, the team got to celebrate with a section of Wolves fans behind their bench, and their cheers echoed through an emptying Ball Arena.

"Wolves in four," they chanted.

Monte Morris of the Wolves left the game because of a sprained finger and Denver's Reggie Jackson departed because of a leg injury.

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