In the series between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves, the Timberwolves gave the defending champion a blow as soon as they came up, leading 2-0 in two consecutive cities on the Denver Plateau, which somewhat exceeded the outside world's expectations for the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves are in good shape this season, but they don't seem to have the strength to beat the Nuggets to the ground, but the Timberwolves' newborn calves are not afraid of tigers, and the smile on the corner of Anthony Edwards' mouth is like that arrogant "old rascal".
However, the Nuggets are the defending champions after all.
After losing back-to-back games at home, the Nuggets finally woke up in Series G3, Jamal Murray escaped the fate of being banned by the league and regained himself, and the Nuggets' starting lineup returned to playing at a high level. From losing the previous game by 26 points to winning by 27 points in the next G3, the Nuggets were reborn under the baptism of ice and fire. Once the Nuggets won, they couldn't stop, and after winning two games in a row, they won the battle of Tianwang Mountain, and from 0-2 down to a 3-2 lead.
How did the Nuggets do that? The biggest contributor is definitely Nikola Jokic.
Nikola Jokic was re-elected as the regular season MVP this season and has a dominant performance in the playoffs, but the first two games of the series against the Timberwolves are really not at the best level, and of course there is a reason why the whole team has not adapted to the Timberwolves defense. In the first game of the series, Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists on 11-of-25 shooting, and also had as many as seven turnovers, and it was clear that this was not the best Nikola Jokic.
The Timberwolves set a trap for the Nuggets, splitting the Nuggets as a whole and leaving Nikola Jokic to solve the defensive puzzle on his own. In fact, Nikola Jokic taking more shots in a game is not what the Nuggets want to see — counting the opening game against the Timberwolves, Nikola Jokic took at least 25 shots in a playoff game, and the team's winning percentage is just 4-14. So, the Timberwolves' idea is also very simple, just see if Nikola Jokic can kill me.
The Timberwolves have a certain height advantage in the roster, and with Rudy Gobert in the DPOY of the season, Nikola Jokic's performance is indeed limited. But with the team on a two-game losing streak, Nikola Jokic has undoubtedly hardened up as well – isn't it just to see if I can beat you? Brothers, come with me, I will help you rush out of a way, no one will be left behind, let's rush through together.
Aaron Gordon is the first to find his form, Jamal Murray is also recovering, and while it's not yet the Nuggets' best form, Nikola Jokic with a helper is undoubtedly getting tough to deal with. G3 was a great overall performance for the whole team, and in the next two games, Nikola Jokic began to show the core of the team - 35 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists on 15-of-26 shooting in G4, and 40 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists on 15-of-22 shooting in the Battle of Kings.
It can be seen that Nikola Jokic completely dominated the battle of Tianwang Mountain, and Rudy Gobert was completely handled by him, and there was nothing he could do about Nikola Jokic at all. Even Anthony Edwards, who has always been arrogant, was convinced, "I can only smile at this kind of performance from him (Nikola Jokic), and that's all I can do." I can't be offended because he's the MVP, the best player in the league, and I have to praise him for his performance. ”
(Text/Yan Wuqiang)