The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated Game 2 of their Conference Semis against the Denver Nuggets as they grabbed a106-80 win on the night. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points, while Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 14 points each from the bench.
The defending champions struggled to get going as Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. struggled to contribute massively in Game 2. They combined to score only 43 points and shot 12-43 from the field. With them misfiring, it was Aaron Gordon who stepped up as he made 20 points, but it proved to be valiant due to the T-Wolves’ brilliance. The win in Game 2 means that Minnesota now has a solid 2-0 lead and remains unbeaten in the playoffs this season.
With the series heading to Minnesota, the Denver Nuggets will be under a lot of pressure to win Games 3 and 4. They have not looked comfortable on the offensive end as both Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic have struggled. The T-Wolves have been all over the duo in the last two games, which has made things extremely difficult for them. They certainly are capable of turning things around, but the T-Wolves are not the team from last season.
Are the Minnesota Timberwolves Conference Finals bound?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a comfortable position, but things do not take too long to turn around in the playoffs. Denver is an experienced side and has the tools to still win the series. However, Michael Malone will have to make some adjustments coming into Game 3.
The suffocating defense of the T-Wolves has propelled them to a brilliant regular and postseason run so far. Many expected the Denver Nuggets to be a tough challenge for them, but so far Minnesota has looked comfortable. If the defending champions want to make their way back into the series, they will have to give more minutes to their young players Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, who are brilliant defensive players.
Undoubtedly, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are great perimeter defenders, but the T-Wolves are wearing them out. The constant full-court pressure has led to Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic giving up the ball more often and this has put additional pressure on the others to deliver. Braun and Watson have proven that they can take up tough assignments. Both these players had poor offensive nights in Game 2, but their defensive resiliency stood out.
With Rudy Gobert expected to be back soon, the T-Wolves might only look better on the defensive end. Denver might be forced to then bring in Deandre Jordan into the lineup as he is the only other proper big they have on their roster. He has not played a lot for the team, but Jordan is a veteran and can get the job done if given a chance.
While these adjustments do not guarantee success, they seem to be the only way the Nuggets can compete with the T-Wolves. The team from Minnesota are soaring high and looks destined to make their first-ever Conference Finals since 2004.
