It has been an epic showdown between the defending champion Denver Nuggets and the feisty Minnesota Timberwolves. Who takes Game 7?
Catch this game live tomorrow, at 8:00 AM, Manila time
AWAY: Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Mike Conley
- Anthony Edwards
- Jaden McDaniels
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves delivered a 45-point beatdown (115-70) on the Nuggets in Game 6, right after suffering three-straight losses that brought them to a 3-2 series deficit. It has generated some confidence back, which they need as they are in enemy territory for the do-or-die Game 7.
Mike Conley’s return from an achilles injury on Friday proved to be huge as he directed the team well (13 pts, 5 ast), and allowed a more natural defensive scheme, where they had Karl-Anthony Towns on Nikola Jokic, and 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert comfortably and effectively waiting in the paint.
Towns only shot 4-of-10 for 10 points, but he dished out five assists and grabbed 13 rebounds, and considerably played the reigning league MVP well. Besides, their team defense was quite disruptive, and Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels produced enough, scoring 27 and 21 points, respectively.
Expect Edwards and company to come out swinging like a young and hungry team looking to prove something, but they should also note that they have widely pissed off the Nuggets by blowing them out with no mercy.
HOME: Denver Nuggets (3-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Jamal Murray
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Aaron Gordon
- Nikola Jokic
The Nuggets looked like they thought Game 6 would be easy after their three-straight wins. Their energy was a farcry compared to the T-Wolves, and its effect snowballed into the aforementioned one-sided affair.
But, if you know the Nuggets, you’d know that they only slow down, but they don’t give up; they keep rising back from the grave.
In fact, such a defeat motivates Jokic more, so Minny ought to be prepared. He had 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting (an off-night for his standard) with nine boards and two assists on Friday, and it’s tough to imagine he’ll have that type of line again.
Regardless, though, Jamal Murray has to be better. While he has had plenty of clutch moments in the 2024 playoffs, his overall percentages are abysmal. He was 4-of-18 (22.2%) in Game 6, and has now compiled six games shooting 39% or worse in 11 postseason outings thus far. The same goes with Michael Porter Jr., who’s at a woeful 6.0 PPG on 30.4 FG% in his last three games. If he can score just a few more baskets than that, they’ll be fine.
We should see an ultra-focused Nuggets on Sunday, and if they revert back to their mode in Games 3, 4, and 5, we’ll witness another masterful showcase of why they’re the champs.
PICKS:
Spread: Nuggets (-4.5)
Over/Under: Over (198.5)
