The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled out of their mid-series hunch and delivered a flawless 115-70 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday to power a Sport 7 on this roller-coaster, second-round playoff collection. After dropping the primary two video games within the collection at dwelling, the Nuggets received three straight to take command, however Minnesota protected its dwelling court docket and we’re all set for a winner-take-all showdown on Sunday in Denver.
In Sport 6, the Wolves posted the biggest profitable margin in a postseason sport since 2015. Thursday’s flop was additionally historic for the Nuggets, as no defending NBA champion had ever misplaced within the playoffs by greater than 36 factors till then.
“That, to me, speaks volumes in regards to the sport and our method,” stated Denver coach Mike Malone, whose crew was outrebounded 62-43. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has held a comparatively quiet 22 factors, whereas Jamal Murray struggled once more with 10 factors on 4-for-18 taking pictures whereas battling a sore elbow for the Nuggets.
Anthony Edwards once more led the cost for Minnesota with 27 factors as Jaden McDaniels pitched in 21 factors and lockdown protection. Mike Conley had 13 factors in his return from damage.
The winner of Sunday’s assembly will advance to the Western Convention finals. This is all the things you might want to learn about Sport 7.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves schedule, scores
All instances Japanese | * If essential
- Sport 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99 — Minnesota leads collection 1-0
- Sport 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80 — Minnesota leads collection 2-0
- Sport 3: Nuggets 117, Timberwolves, 90 — Minnesota leads collection 2-1
- Sport 4: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107 — Sequence tied 2-2
- Sport 5: Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97 — Denver leads collection 3-2
- Sport 6: Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70 — Sequence tied 3-3
- Sport 7: Sunday, Could 19 — Timberwolves at Nuggets, 8 p.m., TNT
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Sport 7
The place to look at
Time: 8 p.m. | Date: Sunday, Could 19
Location: Ball Area — Denver
TV channel: TNT | Streaming: TNT app, Max
Storylines
Nuggets: The factor to look at for Sport 7 is Jamal Murray’s elbow, which the guard talked about after the sport as the rationale why he shot simply 4 of 18 from the sector, It appeared he got here away with a stinger after colliding with the brick wall that’s Rudy Gobert in Denver’s second defensive possession of the sport, and the ache did not subside as the sport went on. There are two days off between now and Sport 7, however we’ll see if that is sufficient time for Murray, who might want to do much better than the ten factors he gave the Nuggets in Sport 6.
Timberwolves: Sport 6 was a repeat of the primary two video games of this collection, the place Minnesota performed stifling protection, disrupting Denver’s offensive movement, and just about made all the things on the opposite finish. It additionally helped to have Mike Conley again within the fold after lacking Sport 5 with a calf pressure. He is the connective tissue on offense for the Wolves, and he confirmed everybody simply how vital he’s to this crew in Sport 6. Looking forward to Sport 7, Minnesota has to anticipate that Denver will reply again with a much better efficiency than the pitiful 70 factors they put up, in order that they’ll want all the assistance they will get from their position gamers once more to advance to the Western Convention finals.
Prediction
Opening collection odds: Nuggets -185, Wolves +155
Sequence odds after Sport 6: Nuggets -200, Wolves +167
I picked Minnesota earlier than the collection began, and in every of their three wins, they’ve confirmed me proper. The size and athleticism they play with on protection are simply too troublesome to choose aside on a constant foundation, and whereas Denver has additionally confirmed that they will outplay the Wolves, I am going with Minnesota. The decide: Timberwolves +5
