Nuggets Host T'Wolves on Saturday
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Ball Arena on Saturday.
This is the best-of-7 series. These teams split their four matchups during the regular season. In fact, they've traded off wins and losses in their last eight matchups, with Denver winning the finale on April 10.
The Timberwolves looked like the best team in the opening round of the playoffs, sweeping a dangerous Phoenix Suns team. The nature of that series is what was truly impressive, with Minnesota winning by 15 points per game. Many people picked Phoenix as a dark horse earlier in the year, but the T'Wolves really trounced them in that sweep. Anthony Edwards was spectacular throughout that series, dropping 40 points in the Game 4 decider. He's developed into a true superstar, and it's scary since the T'Wolves have the best defense in the NBA, thanks to big men like Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid.
The Nuggets finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference, which earned them homecourt in this series. That might end up playing a huge factor because the Nuggets have less than 20 losses at home over the last two years. That can be attributed to the altitude, but having the two-time MVP shouldn't be overlooked. Nikola Jokic had 25 points 20 rebounds, and nine assists in the deciding Game 5, while Jamal Murray hit his second game-winner of the series. The Nuggets did trail for over 70 percent of that series against the Los Angeles Lakers, though, and they need to play better for a full 48 minutes if they want to escape against this terrifying T'Wolves team.
Game 1 winners have gone on to win nearly 70 percent of the series in NBA history.
This is the best-of-7 series. These teams split their four matchups during the regular season. In fact, they've traded off wins and losses in their last eight matchups, with Denver winning the finale on April 10.
The Timberwolves looked like the best team in the opening round of the playoffs, sweeping a dangerous Phoenix Suns team. The nature of that series is what was truly impressive, with Minnesota winning by 15 points per game. Many people picked Phoenix as a dark horse earlier in the year, but the T'Wolves really trounced them in that sweep. Anthony Edwards was spectacular throughout that series, dropping 40 points in the Game 4 decider. He's developed into a true superstar, and it's scary since the T'Wolves have the best defense in the NBA, thanks to big men like Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid.
The Nuggets finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference, which earned them homecourt in this series. That might end up playing a huge factor because the Nuggets have less than 20 losses at home over the last two years. That can be attributed to the altitude, but having the two-time MVP shouldn't be overlooked. Nikola Jokic had 25 points 20 rebounds, and nine assists in the deciding Game 5, while Jamal Murray hit his second game-winner of the series. The Nuggets did trail for over 70 percent of that series against the Los Angeles Lakers, though, and they need to play better for a full 48 minutes if they want to escape against this terrifying T'Wolves team.
Game 1 winners have gone on to win nearly 70 percent of the series in NBA history.