![]() experience at PG: Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley has played on 67 playoff games, and he faces off against the 26-year-old Jamal Murray, who hasn’t participated in a postseason outing since 2020. Game 1 represents the first time these two have matched up in the playoffs, and Towns is 7-6 in the regular season in games against Gordon.ģ.Youth vs. So, the more physical Gordon faces a difficult task. As we know, Towns possesses a decent stroke from deep as well (36.6%). Denver finished the regular season rated 15th defensively (113.5) and it allowed 52.5 points in the paint per game (21st in the NBA), which isn’t an encouraging sign considering Towns scored 10 of his 15 first-half points in the paint during Friday’s victory over Oklahoma City in the Play-In Tournament. But he’s back healthy and presents a formidable threat for Aaron Gordon to defend. Clash of power forwards: Without Karl-Anthony Towns back in the mix, the Timberwolves likely wouldn’t stand much of a chance in this series. ![]() Jokic averages 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists in games against Gobert.Ģ. In addition to trying to neutralize Jokic’s scoring prowess, Gobert needs to keep him off the glass, while limiting his ability as a playmaker. Jokic and Gobert have matched up on 28 occasions, including seven clashes in the playoffs, and the latter has actually gotten the better of the two-time Kia MVP overall, posting a record of 16-12, but just 3-4 in the playoffs. Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert should know better than most given his extensive history against the Nuggets’ center. Battle in the paint: We all understand the heliocentric nature of Denver’s offense with Nikola Jokic serving as the center of its universe. I do believe that our guys are ready for that challenge.”ġ. When we’re fully healthy and guys are in the right place mentally, that allows us to go out there and play our game at the highest level possible. To be 13-4 against Sacramento, Phoenix, Memphis, Golden State, the Clippers, that’s a real number. And our record against the top teams in the NBA, that’s what gives me a lot of confidence. “A lot of games in the playoffs are close games. 3 clutch defense in the NBA,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “What gives me confidence is we have the No. But the Nuggets will have had precious little prep time, going almost a full week between their regular-season finale and the emergence of their first-round opponent. The teams tied 2-2 in the regular-season series, with Denver drubbing the Timberwolves by 34 points in the last meeting back in early February. But the Timberwolves regrouped Friday to wreak destruction on Oklahoma City in earning the eighth seed for the Western Conference playoffs, where they face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in Game 1 on Sunday (10:30 ET, TNT). Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert have matched up on 28 occasions, including 7 clashes in the playoffs, and Gobert holds a 16-12 advantage.Ī sideline scuffle in the season finale going into Minnesota’s Play-In Tournament loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday screamed dysfunction.
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