Uncertain because of a foot problem, Nikola Jokic did not have a good evening. If he held his rank with a performance worthy of an MVP, his team has never been able to worry a good Minnesota team.
Carried by a great Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves produced a superb second act to quickly take cover. In fact, they took advantage of Jokic’s passage on the bench to make the difference and iNFLict a 39-23 on their opponents. At the break, the gap is already significant: +18 (69-51).
Nikola Jokic tried hard to put his team back on the right track, his Nuggets were not having a great night, and he never received the support of his teammates. Conversely, Karl-Anthony Towns was able to count on a hyper-aggressive Taurean Prince and a motivated Jarred Vanderbilt to hurt his former team.
Put to rest the whole last act because Denver is back-to-back and the gap will flirt with 30 points, Nikola Jokic watches helplessly as his team loses (130-115) against an amazing team from Minnesota , which won its sixth victory in nine matches. In the Western Conference standings, the Wolves are widening the gap with their pursuers from Los Angeles, with a positive balance (26v-25d).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A decisive second quarter. As Nikola Jokic rested on the bench, Karl-Anthony Towns teammates iNFLicted a 26-8 on their opponents. A “run” that will prove decisive. What must be emphasized is that it was the players on the bench who tipped the match with Naz Reid, Jordan McLaughlin and especially Taurean Prince as instigators. This season, the Wolves have a much more homogeneous rotation, and it is the 3rd time in a row that the bench has scored 50 points and more.
– Without Nikola Jokic, it’s nothing. Tonight, as soon as the 2021 MVP landed on the bench, his team was in big trouble. The proof, in the first half where he is involved in 75% of his team’s points. In second, he tried to give everything in the 3rd quarter. Present in scoring, dominant in rebounds and altruistic, he fulfilled his role as leader. But he clearly lacked support tonight.
– End of series. The Nuggets remained on five wins in a row, but this “road trip” of six matches is exhausting, and we quickly saw that Nikola Jokic’s teammates did not have the legs. Back-to-back, they preferred to focus on Wednesday night’s game at Utah.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Karl Anthony Towns. Considered one of the most gifted pivots in this league, KAT did not force anything against Nikola Jokic, and it is the sign of maturity. He let the game come to him and showed he was capable of doing what he wanted in attack. He never stopped playing his opponent far from the circle but above all he allowed his team, by his presence in the rebounds, to obtain several second chances. A full game for the strongman of this team with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists.
✅ Jarred Vanderbilt. In 2018, Denver selected Vanderbilt, but it was in Minnesota that he established himself as the perfect complement to KAT in the racket. More aggressive than usual in attack, he hurt Aaron Gordon very badly, and his 18 points and 9 rebounds perfectly complement the performance of Karl-Anthony Towns.
✅ Taurean Prince. Coming off the bench, he is the ideal veteran due to his experience and his qualities as a “two-way player”. He plays his best game of the season, and he showed the way in the second quarter.
⛔ Aaron Gordon. A game without for the strong winger yet valuable this year. He only played 25 minutes and he was physically outplayed by Wolves.
THE FOLLOWING
Denver (28-22) : end of the “road trip” this Wednesday in Utah
Minnesota (26-25) : Thursday reception of the Pistons
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