A Desperate Battle for the Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets, having lost two consecutive home games, find themselves in a do-or-die situation. Another loss would put them in an insurmountable 0-3 hole, where winning ugly becomes imperative. This is not the confident, dominant defending champion Nugget, but rather the resilient fighters who overcame 1-3 deficits twice in the 2020 playoffs.
Timberwolve Dominance
No one could have predicted the Minnesota Timberwolves’ dominance in the series. Despite winning the first game on the road, the Timberwolve further widened the gap in the second game, defeating the Nugget by 26 points and holding them to a dismal 80 points.
Defensive Strategy and Offensive Prowess
In the second game, the Timberwolve, known for their strong defense, transformed into a swarming defensive team, nullifying the Nugget game plan from the first game. Even though Michael Malone quickly shifted the pick-and-roll focus to Aaron Gordon, the team’s least threatening perimeter shooter, the Timberwolves’ advantage remained unshaken.
The loose officiating style in the game prevented the Nugget from gaining control over the referees’ decisions. Frustrated by the relentless defense, especially with Jamal Murray facing pressure on both ends of the floor, the Nugget found themselves in a frantic state. Murray’s rough handling of the ball and poor shot selection led to missed opportunities and ultimately allowed the game to slip away.
The Timberwolve displayed excellence not only on defense but also on offense. Without Rudy Gobert, they fielded a lineup with all players capable of shooting three-pointers. Towns and Reid, both elite shooting big men, confidently took and made three-pointers against the Nugget defense.
Nuggets’ Struggles and Adjustments
Once again, the Nuggets faced the trouble they often inflict on opponents: being dominated on both ends of the court by the Timberwolves’ height and athleticism.
To counter the Timberwolve height and spacing, the Nugget increased the playing time of Justin Holiday, who delivered with a 5-for-4 three-point shooting performance and 13 points. However, it was not enough to bring the Nugget closer to victory, as key players like Jokic, Murray, and Porter struggled against the Timberwolve pressure.
Having lost two consecutive home games, a significant blow to a team that prided itself on home court advantage, the Nugget must now shift their focus from aiming to advance to avoiding a sweep.
Uncertainty and Potential Solutions
Can the Nuggets make adjustments? It’s uncertain. Looking at their bench rotation options, Reggie Jackson’s injury leaves a void, while Peyton Watson, lacking his regular-season vigor, has made little impact defensively and offensively. Christian Braun remains composed on both ends, but replacing KCP to guard the surging Edwards may not significantly improve defense and could crowd the already limited offensive space.
The Timberwolve defensive strategy, centered on aggressive trapping and quick rotations, left the Nugget with few opportunities. Breaking through requires not only ball handlers with excellent passing awareness but also teammates who can create opportunities through movement and screens. However, the Nugget failed to prepare a game plan for this scenario, and their meticulously structured offense was dismantled by the Timberwolve.
As for the next round, it depends on whether the Nugget trust Murray. His performance in Game 2, under intense defensive pressure, dealt the final blow to the Nuggets’ home court advantage. If they trust Murray, the Nugget may stick to their starting lineup and continue attacking the Timberwolve with their pick-and-roll game plan, aiming to challenge them head-on.
However, if Murray’s condition, both physically and mentally, following Game 2 suggests he’s unfit to lead the offense, the Nugget may increase Jokic’s post-up possessions and replace Gordon with Holiday to punish the Timberwolves’ trapping strategy.
On the bench, Nnaji and Strawther could make an impact. Nnaji’s size and potential for outside shooting offer value, while Strawther provides a rare off-the-bench scoring threat. Considering RJ’s potential absence, the Nugget might have to try unconventional solutions.
Strategy for the Next Round
The most viable option may be to keep the starting lineup intact but substitute Strawther or Holiday for Murray towards the end of the first quarter. Let KCP or Gordon, or even Jokic depending on the offensive scheme, control the ball until Murray returns to handle the offense.
Heading to the Timberwolves’ home court, the Nugget should avoid focusing too much defensive attention on Edwards, as the Timberwolves’ shooters will capitalize on any open opportunities. Offensively, the Nugget must maintain aggression while staying composed. The Timberwolves’ disciplined defense won’t offer many favorable openings.
Regarding officiating, Game 3 may not see the same lenient style as Game 2, offering the Nuggets some relief. However, if the officiating remains lax on physical contact, the Nuggets must use more body language to remind the referees of potential fouls, especially on the Timberwolve offensive drives.
Conclusion
Having lost two consecutive home games, the Nuggets find themselves in a must-win situation. Winning ugly or not, they must secure victory to avoid falling into a 0-3 deficit. This is a time for the Nugget to channel the resilience of past playoff battles and fight their way back into contention.
Table of Contents
Tomorrow’s game recommendation:
G3 Nuggets vs Wolves — 09:30AM
- Wolves win
- Wolves -3.5
- Total over 204.5
