The Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 112-97 at home to win this extremely important battle of Kings Mountain. After winning the game, the Nuggets were one step away from completing a 0-2 comeback.
In this game, Jokic, who had just received the MVP trophy, once again proved to the world that there was no controversy at all about this trophy being awarded to him. He played 41 minutes, shot 15-of-22, scored 40 points, 7 rebounds, 13 assists, and more importantly, didn't have a single turnover. It is already difficult to think of words to describe other than admiration.
It can be said that Jokic single-handedly repelled the Timberwolves and completely blew up the opponent's proud interior 3 towers. The Timberwolves' success this season has a lot to do with the fact that they have three interior towers, Gobert, Towns and Reed, but after this series, when Jokic adapts to the opponent's defensive routine, he no longer feels the pressure from the three towers.
In this game, he beat the opponent's 3 towers in the first half. Gobert with the ball alone crossed the road early in the morning, making the four-time DPOY's defense a joke. Whether it's moving the opponent or playing with the ball and back, Jokic seems to have a million ways to make the DPOY bow down. Downs and Reed each received three fouls in the first half, and the defensive effect was evident.
Having figured out the routines of the 3 towers, and also the defensive routines of the Timberwolves, the strength and heritage shown by the defending champions, and Jokic, the 3-time MVP, have begun to show a crushing trend. For the Timberwolves, the next G6 will not be easy to play even if it returns to the home court.
Conley's injury has had a huge impact on the team, not only missing a primary point guard, but also a scorer with outside shooting ability who can share the pressure on Edwards.
This is also the reason why in this game, the Nuggets were crazy about Edwards almost the whole game. Because the other two backcourt players are not consistent in their shots, it is safe to bet on their 3-point feel. As for Gobert and Downs, the strategy is to let go of Gobert, and once Downs wants to break into the box with the ball, he will also attack in the box. In this way, the Nuggets severely limited the Timberwolves' two major scorers, and the rest will be left to them.
Although Gobert made 7 of 7 shots in this game, contributing 18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks of comprehensive data, which looks gorgeous, but this is exactly what the Nuggets want, cutting off other players with independent offensive ability, so that Gobert can get a chance to pick up leaks, even if he scores 30 points, it will not have much impact.
Therefore, if the Timberwolves want to hold on to their home court and drag into the tie-break or even advance, they will need to make lineup adjustments in the next game. Finch urgently needs to change the lineup and put Lee Kyle in the starting line-up, which may solve the team's dilemma.
Without Conley, the starters have one less player who can control the ball, and Lee Kyle is the starting line-up, which can make up for this loss. He can share the pressure of Edwards' ball-handling while instigating other teammates to attack when Edwards is being heavily guarded. In this team, Li Kaier's ability to dominate the ball can be ranked in the top three, or even the top two. And not only can he dominate the ball, but he also has good outside shooting ability, which can make the Timberwolves' offensive space bigger.
If Conley hadn't been injured, Finch could have had Lee Kyle replace him, just like G2. But now that Conley is injured and is not sure if G6 can play, if he can, he will remove Gobert and send Lee Kyle according to G2's starting lineup. If Conley can't play, then it would obviously be better to have Lee Kyle replace Walker.