The Minnesota Timberwolves have taken the NBA world by storm this postseason. The franchise’s first-ever postseason series sweep over the Phoenix Suns first drew attention to the Wolves’ stifling defense. Now, the Timberwolves have the reigning champion Denver Nuggets on the ropes after stealing not one, but two games on the road to begin the series.
The Wolves pulled out an impressive back-and-forth dub in the series opener as the two Western Conference heavyweights battled it out before Minnesota pulled away. The second game of the series, however, was a no-contest. Despite Rudy Gobert’s absence, the Wolves completely dominated from start to finish.
Their elite ball pressure coupled with offensive outpourings from Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards left Denver in the dust. Minnesota’s humiliation of the Nuggets has garnered serious national respect for a team destined to prove their critics wrong. Following the game, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley shared a premature obituary for the Nuggets’ season.
Charles Barkley drops harsh take on Timberwolves-Nuggets
With the Wolves’ 2-0 series lead after dominant road wins, Charles Barkley thinks this series is flat-out over. Not only did Barkley guarantee a Wolves’ series win, he went as far as saying Minnesota would sweep Denver.
“This series is a wrap. Minnesota is better than the Nuggets. They don’t have an advantage anywhere… The Minnesota Timberwolves are for real. They’re gonna sweep the Denver Nuggets. Period.”
To Chuck’s point, in order to win the series, the Nuggets would have to win four of the next five games. Three of those five games will be played in Target Center back in Minneapolis.
While it may be too early to count out the defending champs, it does appear to be a severe uphill battle. While Rudy Gobert missed Game 2, all signs point to Minnesota’s anchor returning to the lineup for Game 3 in front of a loud Timberwolves’ home crowd.
Minnesota’s defense has proven to be even better than their number-one ranking during the regular season. In four of their six playoff games this postseason, the Wolves have held their opponent to sub-100 points.
Nuggets have areas to improve offensively
The Timberwolves’ ball pressure has led to uncharacteristic performances by the Nuggets. Two games of high-turnover showings for a team that often values ball security. With the Wolves’ perimeter stoppers hounding Jamal Murray and Denver’s other ball handlers, Minnesota has effectively halted the Nuggets’ off-ball offense by living in the passing lanes.
For the Nuggets to turn this series around, they have to find ways to get to the paint. Jokic and company scored 42 total points in the paint in the series opener. In Game 2, Denver mustered just 34 paint points. The answer for scoring more at the rim isn’t just dumping Joker the ball. Instead, the Nuggets need to open up cutting opportunities by taking advantage of Minnesota’s off-ball aggression.
If they can surround Michael Porter Jr., Jokic, and Murray with shooters — insert Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Justin Holiday into the corners — the Nuggets should be able to back cut Minnesota’s extended defense. While there is room for the Nuggets to find easier offense at the rim, Minnesota’s defense still can be overwhelming. It won’t be a cakewalk for the Wolves as the Nuggets won’t just roll over, but Minnesota controls their destiny coming back home for Games 3 and 4.
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