The Timberwolves are serious. And if anyone still doubted, this morning’s victory has been one of those victories that add followers to the cause. Minnesota has not only won at the Ball Arena in Denver, but has done so forcefully and giving a truly solid image, much more than what the final 98-111 may suggest. Because the differences seen on the track were, in general, much greater.
Everything that happens between the end of March and the beginning of April in the NBA has to be taken with a grain of salt, especially when it involves a team that was champion a year ago and that even then took its foot off the accelerator slightly to reach the playoffs in shape. If both teams meet in the playoffs we will surely see a different game, but there is certainly a game to play. This year yes.
Minnesota was up 26 throughout the night (55-81), boasting a defense that gave the Nuggets real problems from start to finish. Without Jamal Murray as relief, Nikola Jokic had to assume an even greater role than usual, although this time more as a scorer than as a generator for the rest. Trusting in Rudy Gobert’s tenacity, Chris Finch opted to shut down the center’s abilities to involve his teammates, which ended up resulting in one of his least efficient nights.
More NBAKevin Durant leaves for the Warriors
His 32 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists are still barbaric numbers, but this time he was far from the impact of other nights. With 11/24 shooting, he had one of his poorest nights of the season, and he was also not able to produce as much for the Nuggets who were left at a poor 8/28 from three-point range. And, with no one to lend a hand, he found himself facing a difficult wall to overcome, and when in the last quarter he began to score a little more frequently it was too late to reverse the situation.
Up front, on the other hand, he encountered an Anthony Edwards who did not need his best version to dominate. With 25 points, the guard was the top visitor scorer, but he did so despite his 0/8 in triples and living almost exclusively on his ability to attack the rim or travel to the personnel line. In general, it was not a great game for Minnesota in outside shooting (9/28), but it was in other facets that were equally decisive.
Mike Conley, with 23 points, was the exception that proves the rule, scoring five of his team’s nine triples on his own and filling the scoring gap that remains on the team with Towns absent. With the temperament and good decision-making that characterize him, the point guard was precise in his shot (8/12) and effective in distribution (8 assists), complementing Edwards and giving air to the Wolves attack that howled without fear in rival territory. We’ll see if he does it again in a potential return to the Denver mountains.
More NBAHow to watch NBA streaming online 2023 with League Pass on two devices?
(Cover photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
2024-03-30 08:00:00
#Wolves #win #Denver #leaders #West
