(Picture credit score: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Photographs)
The Denver Nuggets used a two-day break after working extra time to reel off back-to-back wins earlier this week.
Denver will now flip its consideration to a different Western Convention energy, the Minnesota Timberwolves, when groups tip off Friday night time in Minneapolis.
The Nuggets’ extra time victories each got here on the highway – 127-125 in opposition to the Toronto Raptors on Monday and 144-139 in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
“Clearly there’s nonetheless loads we will clear up, however I am happy with our guys for locating a approach two nights in a row,” Denver coach Michael Malone stated. “(It was a results of the group) staying collectively, staying with it, believing in themselves and discovering a approach to win in extra time.
“I simply hope we don’t go to extra time each recreation for the remainder of the season.”
Current historical past suggests the Nuggets might be in retailer for one more shut recreation after they face the Timberwolves.
Friday’s recreation is a rematch of final season’s Western Convention semifinals, which the Timberwolves received in seven video games. Minnesota received the primary two video games, misplaced the subsequent three and received the final two to advance to the West Last.
Each groups made notable adjustments to their rosters throughout the offseason. The Timberwolves traded longtime fan favourite Karl-Anthony Cities to the New York Knicks in a deal that introduced Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota. The Nuggets let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go away by way of free company and introduced in veteran Russell Westbrook so as to add management on and off the court docket.
Among the many new faces, each groups preserve the identical goal as final season. They each hope to complete close to the highest of the convention and make a deep playoff run, which means one other playoff run is feasible.
Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets, averaging a triple-double (31.5 factors, 12.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists) via the primary 4 video games. Jamal Murray is second with 18.8 and Aaron Gordon is third with 15.5.
“What extra are you able to say about Nikola Jokic?” Malone stated after his workforce’s newest win in opposition to Brooklyn. “I do know it’s solely 4 video games, however what this man is doing – 29 (factors), 18 (rebounds) and 16 (assists) – he makes it look simple.”
The identical might be stated for Anthony Edwards, who leads the Timberwolves with a mean of 30 factors, 6.3 rebounds and three.5 assists. Edwards is capturing 41.5 % from 3-point vary, a notable leap from final season, when he shot 35.7 %.
Randle is subsequent with 23.3 factors to play and seven.5 rebounds. Naz Reid is averaging 13.8 factors and seven.5 rebounds, whereas Rudy Gobert is averaging a double-double with 9.5 factors and a team-high 11.3 rebounds.
Minnesota seems to bounce again from a 120-114 loss to the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night time.
Edwards stated he and his teammates have to focus extra on protection when dealing with the Nuggets and different opponents.
“They scored loads in transition,” Edwards stated of Dallas. “Simply transition on protection and rebound, and we’ll be nice. I really feel like we will beat anyone. If we will get again in transition and rebound, and if I rebound, we’ll be nice .”
–Subject degree media
