The most shocking thing about Tuesday night (when Minnesota took a 2-0 series lead against the defending champions in their second-round series) wasn’t that Denver lost, but that They lost their composure while doing so..
On Friday night we saw the defending champion Nuggets we were expecting in this series. Those who have pride. Those who apparently don’t care about the pressure. Defensively Denver was locked in, on offense the ball jumped and moved, and Jamal Murray scored 24 points and showed no signs of the injury that slowed him down in the first two games of the series.
The result was a 117-90 Denver blowout win at Minnesota that was never really in doubt after midway through the second quarter, taking some of the shine off the Timberwolves’ “team of destiny” aura. Minnesota still leads the series 2-1 with Game 4 on Sunday in Minnesota.
“I liked the fact that they hit tonight, we didn’t hit back,” Anthony Edwards said in the Minnesota locker room. “That’s the thing, it’s fun, you love to compete. Sunday will be very competitive, we’ll be here for it.”
Friday night was not very competitive.
Denver did a good job coming out with the necessary desperation in a game they had to win. Minnesota fans booed Jamal Murray every time he touched the ball and he responded like a champ.
“Honestly, it makes you feel better because you have to respond,” Murray said via the Associated Press. “It just makes you have to focus and be there for your teammates.”
Everything in Denver starts with newly named three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who had 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Denver also received a big game from Michael Porter Jr., who scored 21 points.
What mattered most, however, were the ball and player movements that the champion Nuggets are known for. Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert returned after the birth of his son, but was essentially a non-factor because of how well Denver moved the ball and kept him off balance.
Edwards finished with 19 points to lead the Wolves, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 14.
The Timberwolves played like champions through their first six playoff games this season, but true champions know how to respond to adversity. Denver did that.
Can Minnesota respond on Sunday?