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Thursday night’s duel between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets had playoff atmosphere in it given the fact that both teams are fighting like hell for a spot in this year’s postseason. Perhaps that’s the biggest reason why Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns did not show an iota of mercy on Denver guard Jamal Murray when he found himself in a mismatch situation at the post against his fellow Kentucky Wildcats product.
Go ahead then, KAT! 😳 pic.twitter.com/1i5vhtqOZB
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 6, 2018
It was not clear in the video how Murray ended up guarding a seven-foot behemoth down low, but it sure should not have happened. Karl-Anthony Towns should be being covered in that play by either Nikola Jokic or Paul Millsap. Will Barton was noticeable playing ugly defense there, as he was the one free Denver guy who could’ve helped Jamal Murray but he opted to back away instead.
Fortunately for Denver, their overall defense in the game was enough to hold off Minnesota. The Nuggets came away with a huge 100-96 win that tied them with the Timberwolves at the eighth and last playoff spot in the East. Both teams now have an identical 44-35 record, and though Minnesota owns the tie-breaker, each team still has three more games left to play this regular season.
Murray led the Nuggets with 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting from the field. On the flipside, Towns paced his team with a double-double effort of 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Minnesota now prepares for a road game against the Los Angeles Lakers this Friday, while Denver will take the L.A. Clippers at Staples Center next on Saturday.
