Nuggets Fall to Thunder in Essential Mid-Season Showdown

One day after winning at the Boston Garden in a game with a playoff flavor that served to remind the NBA world who the champion is and why, the Nuggets stood in front of the couch to watch a duel now essential in the geography of This 2023-24 season is passing its particular halfway point. With fourteen losses, the Nuggets are third in the West, a hand’s breadth behind the two young teams that lead a change of record that is already unquestionable and that will be tested in the playoffs. These two teams met in Minnesota, land of wolves, and the Thunder took the victory (97-102) on the court of the Wolves who are still leaders of the Conference: 30-12 to the 29-13 of the Thunder and the 29 -14 from the Nuggets.

It was also a game of very high intensity, with nods to the playoffs due to the pasty atmosphere, the weight of many dog-face plays and the feeling that whoever escaped their own limitations would win. That team, which ended up losing its balance, was OKC Thunder. Because he had the best player on the court, a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who was more decisive than Anthony Edwards. And because after taking command with less than a minute and a half left (94-96) and after a three-pointer from Shai, he maintained his composure from the personal line while the Wolves sent unbeatable options to limbo. At 95-96 and with 23 seconds left, Mike Conley (it wasn’t his night: 1/11 in shots) missed from the three-point line. With three to go, at 97-100, Edwards had three free throws. He missed the first one, also the second… and he tried to miss the third one to see if there was any luck on the rebound. Nothing.

The decisive stretch showed the offensive shortcomings that still lower the ceiling of these Timberwolves capable of being an infernal defensive machine. That after 29-17 in a third quarter in which the Thunder were 6/20 in shots and it seemed that the victory would not come from home: 85-74 as soon as the last quarter began. But from there, Shai scored 11 points with 4/6 shooting from the field and the Wolves stayed at 14 (14-28) in those final twelve minutes in which they aired a problem that was beginning to be rude. Seven losses in the last quarter of which the Thunder scratched eight points. In the total of the game, 21 for 28 points for the rival. That difference in losses (21-8) and in points associated with them (8-28) decided a game in which the Wolves left the Thunder below 40% in shooting, rebounded more and gave more assists. But they are the team with the most turnovers in the entire NBA since Christmas. And that cannot be.

Shai, who was not at a super level in LA’s double (two losses against the Lakers and Clippers) finished with 33 points and 6 assists. Edwards, in the duel of franchise players, was left at 19 with only six baskets in play and five of those 21 very costly losses. The wound that bled Wolves who started badly (5-21 in 7 minutes), recovered, dominated from defense… but couldn’t finish. They were better with the rotation in motion (McLaughlin and the excellent Naz Reid) but seemed worse in the starting quintet crossovers. Lu Dort, a defensive beast, made Edwards sweat, Conley did not make his shots and Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, only four baskets in play and eliminated due to fouls.

The Thunder won as best they could, which is how you win these games. In the hands of Shai, with a tremendous game under the hoops of Chet Holmgren (born in Minneapolis) and the usual percussion of Jalen Williams. The head-to-head matchup of the season is 2-1 for them, with a fourth and final match scheduled for the 30th of this month. Another opportunity to know a little more about who is who, where everyone is, what can happen when the playoffs arrive and, above all, why these teams are two of the best so far in the regular season and two contenders for the title. They correct some defects that are also obvious in games like this, which are difficult. The Thunder, at least, know that there are few nights when the best player on the court will not be on their side. With Shai, also in the land of wolves, it is easier to sweep sins under the rug. Anthony Edwards (he’s three years younger, 22 for 25) is extraordinary… but he’s not there yet. He will come, surely.

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2024-01-21 05:15:01
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