2024 Western Conference Semi-Finals/Second Round (2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota Schedule: • Game 1: Wolves vs. Nuggets, Saturday, May 4 (7 ET, TNT) • Game 2: Wolves vs. Nuggets, Monday, May 6 (10 ET, TNT) • Game 3: Nuggets vs. Wolves, Friday, May 10 (9:30 ET, ESPN) • Game 4: Nuggets vs. Wolves, Sunday, May 12 (8 ET, TNT) • Game 5: Wolves vs. Nuggets, TBD (TBD, TBD) * • Game 6: Nuggets vs. Wolves, TBD (TBD, TBD) * • Game 7: Wolves vs. Nuggets, TBD (TBD, TBD) * * = If necessary Spoiler Top storyline This very well could come down to one question: How well, and for how long, can the Wolves’ defense cope with the beautiful offensive game played by the Nuggets? Everywhere you look, the Wolves seemingly have an answer for all the important matchups. There’s Rudy Gobert, a rim and paint protector, for Nikola Jokic. And Mike Conley, the clever veteran, for Jamal Murray. And Jaden McDaniels, long and athletic, for Michael Porter Jr. Add Kia Sixth Man of the Year winner Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and the Wolves are well-equipped to make the Nuggets work on almost every possession. That’s why the Wolves made it this far, by forcing teams to take tough shots and bleed the shot clock. Of course, the wonder of the Nuggets is how they’ve had the same core for five years and work like clockwork. Their chemistry, therefore, is unmatched in the NBA. So maybe the Wolves’ D might be at a disadvantage. Keep your eyes on Gobert vs. Jokic: A two-time Kia NBA MVP and one of the most complete offensive centers of all time against a three-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year. Both will likely win those respective awards again this season. Those are your centers of attention for this series. Jokic gets up for Gobert, though. The Joker went for 41-11-7 in their April 10 meeting, dominating not only Gobert but Reid, the backup. It was one-sided. For the season, Joker averaged 33 points and nearly 12 rebounds against Gobert. “Nikola always embraces the physicality,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “He never shies away from it. Rudy Gobert is going to be a Hall of Fame player one day. Rudy Gobert is going to be regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. And it just speaks to how great Nikola is. I don’t think anybody in the NBA can guard Nikola one-on-one.” 1 more thing to watch for each team For Nuggets: Porter managed to shake free of personal issues to shine in the first round. (One brother was recently sentenced to jail for his role in a fatal car accident, and another was permanently banned from the NBA for gambling.) He averaged 22.8 points and shot 48.8% from deep against the Lakers in what was arguably his finest playoff series to date. If Porter keeps this up, Denver will be tough to beat. For Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, only 22, is staking his claim as the best player in these playoffs. He was a wrecking ball against the Suns in the first round (31-8-6 on 51.2% shooting), especially the second half of the closeout game when he couldn’t be stopped. One reason for Edwards’ determination? He was doing it against Kevin Durant, an all-time great and his childhood idol. Jokic is also an all-time great. So expect Edwards to make a similar statement as he announces himself as a future all-time great in his own right. 1 key number to know 9.5 — The Wolves scored 123.2 points per 100 possessions in their sweep of the Suns. That was the best mark in the first round and 9.5 points per 100 possessions more than Phoenix allowed in the regular season, with that being the biggest such differential. So the Wolves, who had the best defense by a wide margin in the regular season, have had the best offense in the playoffs, whether you look at raw or relative numbers. The Wolves’ effective field goal percentage (54.8%) was a little lower than it was in the regular season (55.0%). But they ranked second in the first round in free throw rate (33.3 attempts per 100 shots from the field) and retained 39.2% of available offensive rebounds, the second-highest offensive rebounding percentage for any team in any series in the past 10 years. With big differentials in rebounds and turnovers, the Wolves averaged an incredible 10 more shooting opportunities per game than the Suns. The Wolves got to the line a lot (33.0 attempts per 100 shots from the field) in the regular season series between these two teams, but the Nuggets won the battle of the boards. They obtained 77.5% of available defensive rebounds, the best mark for any Western Conference opponent against Minnesota. If the Wolves don’t shoot well, those two factors could determine if their offense can keep up with that of the champs. — John Schuhmann The pick Nuggets in seven. This series should be rich in contrast and drama. Both teams are equipped to move on, and after their sweep of the Suns, the Wolves stamped themselves as a title contender. Will home court be the edge for Denver? More likely, the moments of truth in each game will show us which star — Edwards or Karl-Anthony Towns or Jokic or Murray — will make the big shot. Let’s go with the champs, barely, in such situations.
I don't think Wolves can get 2 wins. I think Wolves will be able to steal one game, but who's going to stop Jokic? Kat and Gobert are babies compared to Jokic. I would love the Wolves to win this series, but I think the Wolves will only get 1 game because of an off day for the Nuggets. I really think Jokic is going to destory Gobert/Kat this seriesa and Ant might be irrelevant... but let's see.
Denver looked REALLY bad in round 1, if they don’t get it together they could lose in 5. If they get their act together i expect them to win in 6, which would be my prediction
Their first-round series last year was much tighter than 4-1 indicated. If the Nuggets are locked in, they win this in 5 or 6, but for some reason, I don't totally trust them. It's also hard for me to imagine the T-Wolves beating them 4 times. I'll go with Nuggets in 6. MPJ and Gordon must contribute and their bench must play better. What is wrong with Braun?
Lots of yall are giving high hopes for the Wolves. I really feel like Nuggets treated Lakers series like a joke. I feel they will DESTROY the Wolves, BUT I WOULD LOVE A 7 GAME SERIES!
For me at least, as stated, this is more about doubting the Nuggets than thinking highly of the T-Wolves. If the Nuggets bring their "A" game, it probably won't last long. I have a hard time imagining the T-Wolves beating them 4 times.
If the Nuggets played the same way in this series as they did against the Lakers, the Nuggets are gonna get destroyed. KCP and Murray can't consistently put up inefficient games. Who knows what MPJ looks like - he was really good against LA, but he's a streaky player.
The Nuggets starting 5 has a level they can go to that no other team can match. Not as good as the Hamptons 5 but relative to the current rest of the league still a major problem. The Twolves have the tools to give them problems but I just don't think they're smart enough to make the right plays, consistently, on both ends of the court.
