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Good job Wolves. Too much for the Nuggets top five, seemingly Jokić and Murray trying to put the team on their backs was too much for this team.
From Denver's perspective, it looks like they caught lightening in a bottle last year with Gordon and MPJ being useful in winning the chip. Both of them really got exposed in this series as being unable to create offense for themselves if Jokic was being hampered. Clearly they need another creator to help Murray and Jokic, but it's going to be tricky as that player will have to fit in behind those two and not disrupt the chemistry they already have. Their front office has a lot of work to do this offseason.
From Denver's perspective, it looks like they caught lightening in a bottle last year with Gordon and MPJ being useful in winning the chip. Both of them really got exposed in this series as being unable to create offense for themselves if Jokic was being hampered. Clearly they need another creator to help Murray and Jokic, but it's going to be tricky as that player will have to fit in behind those two and not disrupt the chemistry they already have. Their front office has a lot of work to do this offseason.
Yup. When Gordon did create offense, they went on a 3 game winning streak. Then it stopped and they lost two clinchers.
MPJ was mostly useless through-out. If he hits a couple of jumpers last night (which he is paid a max contract to do) that outcome is different.
Jokic can develop chemistry with anybody, Murray has no issues taking his shots in spurts. As mentioned in another thread, they have room for a 3rd scorer, but put the money into MPJ being that guy and are likely stuck with it. The Wolves clearly earned the series, but Denver's defense was up to the task last night, and to hold your opponent under 100 to lose at home has to leave their heads' shaking.
Hardest question after a loss like that is "Were we just a couple of missed jumpers away from repeating" or "Does that team have our number, and we were lucky the series went 7 games." I am leaning towards the later.
I thought KAT's put back dunk was the final straw for Denver. Replaying the video shows the entire Nuggets squad standing around flat footed while he raced in with perfect timing for the follow up.
The Wolves had Gobert inside and KAT on the perimeter to do the pick-n-roll with Edwards. Reid to come in when KAT slowed down and make some crucial baskets. KAT to come back in when Gobert fouled out. All while Jokic played every single minute of the game, often resorting to clanging threes from the arc. Minny just has too many weapons.
Grit and determination. The Timberwolves had it in spades.
Murray and Jokic had between them 69 points. Everyone else on that club scored 21. The bench absolutely let the club down, scoring all of 5 points--that would be guard Christian Braun. I've never been a fan of the "bombs away" of doing things, namely shooting 3's on a continuous basis. Gordon had all of 4 points. Porter was three for 12 shooting. And the one who stunk the most was Jokic himself--two out of ten from the three point circle. Denver was 8 for 33 from the 3 point area. Not good.
Minnesota was down by 20 halfway through the second period but they did not bag it, slowly and slowly they closed the gap. If your struggling that badly from three then move in and get two. But in this case Denver couldn't because of what I said earlier-grit and determination. Minnesota wanted it more-simple as that.
Without seeing any regular season games, I'm a bit surprised that Gobert was defensive player of the year because he has not impressed me in the playoffs so far on either end of the court.
Wow. Talk about losing a won game. Holy crap Minnesota.
Terrible execution down the stretch. Gotta chase Doncic off 3 point line for chrissakes.
Gobert should not have been in game at the end. What the heck was coach thinking?
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