Every NBA playoff series

NO. 3 DENVER VS. NO. 6 MINNESOTA

Game 2: Minnesota 119, Denver 114

Series tied 1-1

Stellar outing, especially in that thin air.

Breathe through your nose, I kept telling the fellas on the screen. The game ended two hours earlier but I was worried about our guys. Breathe through your nose, I said out loud in a room with nobody in it, in a house with everyone sleeping. Breathe in through your nose and it goes right to your brain.

Lotta oxygen in Minnesota's brain on Monday, wide open spaces to drive into with only the 6-9'ish dome of Nikola Jokic to look over, maybe Aaron Gordon if the doctors allow, maybe Spencer Jones if Spencer stops himself from running into someone first. Minnesota knew it could turn a corner safely, even with the defender, gain speed from there.

Three blocks in the entire contest, 30 free throws for each side. We had fun.

Denver worked poorly after the Timberwolves eased them into the idea. Minnesota turned in consistent and dedicated effort. The Wolves' defense made the league's best offense think twice, a killer delay for the side that's supposed to be in charge.