DENVER — Behind a dominant first-half performance on Monday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 106-80 to take a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Timberwolves outscored the Nuggets 33-15 in the second quarter on the way to a 61-35 halftime lead.

Game 3 is Friday night in Minnesota as the Timberwolves look to win their seventh consecutive playoff game.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Anthony Edwards had 27 points and seven assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid each scored 14. Kyle Anderson started in place of Rudy Gobert, who missed the game after flying home for the birth of his son.

Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 20 points, while Nikola Jokic had 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists.