Watch: Nuggets reserves ice crucial win with dunks

Peyton Watson and Christian Braun combined for nine points and three blocks in the final nine minutes of the Denver Nuggets’ 116-107 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

When Minnesota managed to stay close, the young Nuggets slammed the door, with Braun and Watson delivering dunks on three straight possessions.

The last one was set up by Watson’s sixth block of the game.

When the Timberwolves tied the game with just under 10 minutes to go, blocked shots by Watson and Braun on the same Minnesota possession keyed a 13-3 Denver run that gave them control of the game.

The win puts Denver up a game on Minnesota with just two games left against the woeful Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs. They do have to win out to clinch home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, as Minnesota and Oklahoma City both hold tiebreakers over Denver.

It’s a good sign that Watson and Braun are stepping up, exactly what the Nuggets need for a bench that lost multiple players from last year’s title team, particularly Bruce Brown. 

With those two making big contributions, the bench has become a strength, especially with the emergence of 41 percent three-point shooter Justin Holiday joining veteran Reggie Jackson.

Of course, the biggest impact on winning came from Nikola Jokic, who shot 16-of-20 and scored 41 points. 

But this was a game that made Denver look very imposing for the playoffs, especially at home, where they’re 33-8. Even more so when the young guys are dunking all over everyone.