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The second round of the NBA playoffs begins, and the Nuggets host the Timberwolves. In the first quarter of the game, Edwards scored 11 points to help the Timberwolves seize the start, Jokic and Porter Jr. worked together to play an 11-0 tight score, and the first quarter ended, the Nuggets 25-23 Timberwolves. In the second quarter of the competition, Edwards' offense continued unabated, the Nuggets blossomed more, the two teams took the lead alternately, and at halftime, the Nuggets led the Timberwolves 44-40.
Yibian fought again, the two teams played back and forth, the game fell into a tug-of-war, and at the end of the third quarter, the Timberwolves overtook the Nuggets 73-71. In the final quarter, Murray's 3+1 helped the Nuggets overtake the score, and Edwards scored consecutive points to help the Timberwolves bite the score. At the end of the period, Reed scored 8 points in a row to help the Timberwolves open the score, and time was running out, and the Nuggets were powerless. In the end, the Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 106-99 and led the series 1-0.
Statistics
Timberwolves: Edwards 43 points and 7 rebounds, Towns 20 points and 4 rebounds, Conley 14 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists, Gobert 6 points and 12 rebounds, Reed 16 points and 4 rebounds.
Nuggets: Jokic 32 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 7 turnovers, Porter Jr. 20 points and 6 rebounds, Murray 17 points and 4 assists, Gordon 9 points and 6 assists, Pope 6 points, Braun 7 points.
Eight facts that have to be admitted:
1. Edwards - Contemporary Jordan
Edwards played 42 minutes and finished with 43 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 17-of-29 shooting and 3-of-7 three-pointers. Edwards is too fierce, outrageously strong, changing direction in front of the body, turning and leaning back, the style of the ball is too elegant, the performance of offense and defense, I saw the shadow of Jordan and Wade from Huazi, the Nuggets can't prevent it at all, the real superstars don't need to be praised, they are all played by themselves, the era of Janduku is over, and Edwards will become the new face of the league.
2. Downs - Contemporary Pippen
Downs played 30 minutes and finished with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists on 8-of-13 shooting and 2-of-4 three-pointers. Some people are suitable to be leaders, but there is no Pippen who is willing to be a green leaf, where is the six-time Jordan Jordan? Seeing Towns and Gordon in pairs, I felt that the Timberwolves were not afraid of the Nuggets at all, and the Nuggets' advantage was that they were sized, and the Timberwolves were bigger in size. Downs now has a helper, a younger team leader, and is playing harder indeed.
3. Gobert - Defensive Textbook
Gobert played 35 minutes, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and finishing with six points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Gobert is a real defensive gate, the 6 points scored are all key points, the Nuggets' empty receivers he can block, the data does not reflect his role in the Wolves, his defensive ability is too good, the defensive area is large, which also triggered the qualitative change of the Timberwolves, the optimal solution of the single defense Jokic, the big deal of the Timberwolves was correct that year.
Fourth, Conley - the master of cake making
Conley played 31 minutes and finished with 14 points, four rebounds and 10 assists on 5-of-8 shooting and 3-of-4 three-pointers. The role of the old Conley to the Timberwolves is too great, his control of the court is too stable, the most powerful and low-key guard, the third quarter of the game is deadlocked, Conley's several three-pointers are critical, he is the spiritual leader of the Timberwolves, there is an old family, if there is a treasure, I hope Conley dreams of the championship.
5. Jokic is an all-around fighter
Jokic played 40 minutes, shooting 11-of-25 from the field and 2-of-9 from three-point range to finish with 32 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and seven turnovers. From Jokic's three-point shot today, you can see how ruthless the Timberwolves' interior restrictions are on him, Mr. Jokic is tired, he sweated in the first quarter, there are too many high-intensity defensive mistakes in the face of the Timberwolves, and the interior play is covered, in the face of the Timberwolves' twin towers, Jokic plays very hard, and it is really difficult to have a qualified backup center.
Sixth, Porter Jr. tried his best
Porter Jr. played 40 minutes, shooting 6-of-16 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range for 20 points and six rebounds. Porter Jr. is still super high-level today, his performance is still stable, his three-point hand is still hot, he has done well on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends today, and he is still very handsome, but unfortunately there is Jordan on the other side, Porter Jr. is the most stable point in the Nuggets playoffs so far, and he is the second leader of the Nuggets.
Seventh, Murray did not perform well
Murray played 34 minutes and finished with 17 points and four assists on 6-of-14 shooting. Murray's efficiency is not good, he can't pass people at all without blocking and dismantling, maybe the injury is not good yet, in the face of the suffocating defense of the Timberwolves, Murray struggled very much, although 3+1 is very handsome, and he also scored a few difficult goals, but this state really can't pass the Timberwolves. The efficiency of the last round against the Lakers was not good, the two shutouts covered up a lot of problems, Murray did not open, and the Nuggets were sad for the Timberwolves.
8. Defend the Nuggets or stop in the second round
The Timberwolves had a great playoff season, knocking out the Suns in the first round 4-0 with the Big Three. In the first away game of the second round, Edwards played better and better, becoming a modern Jordan, and his offensive and defensive performance was unstoppable. The twin-tower combination of Towns and Gobert also did a good job of limiting Jokic, as well as Conley Sr., Reed, McDaniels, Walker and other elite players. On the other hand, in addition to Jokic and Porter Jr., the Nuggets can play stably, Murray's efficiency has seriously declined, and the bench firepower is not as good as last season, which is completely inferior to the Timberwolves' bench. If Jokic can't play the only level of dominance in the series, the Nuggets are likely to stop in the second round, and the young Timberwolves really make people see the championship.