While Anthony Edwards is already showing off a lot, trying his luck at 3-pointers, Nikola Jokic is more discreet offensively but no less important. The Nuggets pivot keeps the machine running, without shooting. In the second part of the first quarter, the three-time MVP gained volume and made several baskets. But it is the Wolves who are in front after the first twelve minutes (33-29).
Domination confirmed at the start of the second act as Minnesota moved up a notch in defense. As the address follows, Rudy Gobert and his teammates go 15-0.
With its starters, Denver responds with an 11-0. Then, the debates are balanced with the Nuggets who apply their basketball collectively when Anthony Edwards takes a lot of shots and dribbles a lot (64-61).
Christian Braun's poster on Rudy Gobert increases the pressure
As they did in the second quarter, the Wolves relied more on Rudy Gobert in attack and it worked as they went 10-1.
At the same time, the Nuggets lost Jamal Murray, hit in the face, who returned to the locker room. Without having a huge lead, Chris Finch's men still had control before the last quarter (91-85).
Manhandled in the first moments of this final quarter, the 2023 champions reacted with award-winning baskets from the executives. Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic each scored from behind the arc. The tension rises when Christian Braun crushes a big dunk with both hands on the head of Rudy Gobert, exults and the French pivot reacts with a dangerous gesture, grabbing the Denver player by the neck. This dunk then concludes a 23-3 for the Nuggets, who seem to have got their hands on the game.
But with several award-winning baskets and an 11-2, the Wolves are still alive. Anthony Edwards even put them in front in the final seconds, with a little one-handed shot. Good defense then, two free throws from Rudy Gobert and the deal is in the bag for the Wolves, who emerge with this success 119-116.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Anthony Edwards decisive. We saw him a lot in this match, either dribbling or shooting, with more or less success (a few airballs in the mix) and paradoxically, in the last quarter, he was very discreet. Until this shot in the final seconds, one-handed after the free-throw line. He finished with 29 points at 7/14 at 3-pts and we will remember that he knew how to be decisive at the best of times.
– Aaron Gordon superb, Jamal Murray uninspired then injured. The first was perfect or almost perfect with 31 points and 11 rebounds, with a nice 11/18 shooting and 5/7 at 3-pts. As soon as he touched the ball, good things happened for the Nuggets. The second, on the other hand, missed his meeting. Uninspired in the game – 6 points to 2/7 on the shoot – he even joined the locker room before everyone else, in the third quarter, hit in the face. Placed in the “concussion protocol”, the playmaker did not return to the game.
– The Denver bench too timid. Symbol of the difficulties of the substitutes: the Russell Westbrook match. He was active, as always, with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 interceptions, but he shot 1/8 and lost 4 balls… Peyton Watson, Dario Saric or Julian Strawther did little better and the Nuggets bench did not scored only 13 points at 4/22 on the shoot!
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
