The combined absences of Rudy Gobert (touched in the ribs), Naz Reid and Karl-Anthony Towns logically offer boulevards to the Nuggets near the circle. They take the opportunity to play their game, and Nikola Jokic like Aaron Gordon dominates under the panel. Opposite, Anthony Edwards insists, with more or less success (28-35).
Denver generally has control of the game, but the defending champions lose too many balls, which allows the Wolves to stay in the race. However, before the break, the gap even rose to 18 points, before going back down (55-70) when the two teams returned to the locker room.
Michael Malone's troops are less sharp at the start of the second half, unlike Anthony Edwards who multiplies the points in one-on-one. After a series of lost balls, the Nuggets put themselves in danger and on a winning basket, the All-Star guard gave his team the advantage, after a 10-0. But Chris Finch's men missed the last seconds of the last quarter with also wasted possessions. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope takes the opportunity to give Denver some air at 3-points (84-87).
With his bench, the reigning champion was unable to find access to the circle at the start of the last quarter, and Minnesota therefore got back in front. It takes several shots from Michael Porter Jr. and a 10-0 to restore order. Nikola Jokic comes to assist him. The Nuggets have margin, which is reduced with each winning shot of Wolves desperation scored by Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley. Anthony Edwards, discreet in this “money time”, has the last shot to equalize: it is missed and Denver wins 112-115. A week after their victory against the Clippers, the Wolves miss another heist.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Two assists for Nikola Jokic. This is perhaps the statistic that most symbolizes the absence of Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman having deserted the racket, the MVP of the 2023 Finals was more aggressive than usual, wanting to take advantage of the spaces. Even if Luka Garza has been lively and interesting, he's obviously not Gobert when it comes to deterrence. The Serbian had already scored 22 points at the break and will finish with 35 on the clock. Above all, he only delivered two assists, all in the last quarter.
– The Nuggets’ lost balls. Negligence, questionable or rushed choices, too much dribbling, good defense from the Wolves. The reasons are numerous but the observation remains the same: Denver lost too many balls. 17 exactly. Including six in the third quarter alone. With a little more seriousness in this area, as they were skillful and dominant on the rebound, the reigning champions would have been safe much earlier and would have avoided some scares in the last act.
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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.
