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For the first time since 2004, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in the NBA playoffs’ second round. The reigning champions are their next foe.
The Wolves’ battle with the Denver Nuggets won’t be simple, but if the first round sweep of Phoenix taught us anything, it’s that Minnesota is eager and ready for more postseason triumph.
The Nuggets are a dangerous squad, and the wolves are ready for them. Michael Porter Jr., who can make 3-pointers, and Jamal Murray, the front-runner for MVP, are two players who can do it all. The wolves will try to build on their first-round defensive triumph. Based on many defensive metrics, Minnesota had the strongest defence in the NBA throughout the regular season.
This extended into the series against the Phoenix Suns, when the wolves slowed down Devin Booker for the majority of the series and shut down Bradley Beal in multiple games.Early this week, Karl-Anthony Towns discussed the battle ahead with the media.
“It’s just only right, you know, do it the Minnesota way: take the toughest path to get to a championship,” said Towns on playing the defending NBA champions in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. “We played a tremendous, explosive and highly offensive team in Phoenix. They were really good and had our number all year. We found a way to win, so now this second round we have to go against guys who are playing at an extremely high level. [The Nuggets are] extremely disciplined and we have to go [to Denver] and find a way to first two games… without the home court advantage this time around. So, [we] just have to play our best, be disciplined and find a way to win.
The Wolves may have to take on this challenge without their head coach Chris Finch. Finch sustained a torn patellar tendon in game four vs. phoenix and had surgery Wednesday, but was back at practice Thursday in crutches. Reports say that Finch is expected to be in Denver for game one, but his presence on the bench is unknown.
Options that have been mentioned are being in a suite and conducting pregame and half time meetings. The wolves could also potentially clear out space on the bench for him to sit with his leg fully extended. Finch’s top assistant, Micah Nori spoke to the media earlier this week on Finch being at practice. “I tell you he’s a trouper, he is a warrior, but it’s always good [to have him at practice],” said Nori. “Obviously, anytime you have your leader in the building being able to conduct practices, film rooms, meetings, and the more that we can stay in the norm and closer to the rhythm that we’ve had all year, it’s great.
“We have a fantastic coaching staff,” said Connelly. “Mikah is going to make a great head coach when some smart team hires him. The whole staff is really connected and I think Finch powers those guys. It’s a collective, it’s not just about one person. Just like players, we have next man up… same with coaches.
We have complete faith in our staff and obviously, fingers crossed, Finch will be somewhere around the [bench] he usually going is. But Mikah is gonna do a heck of a job.” The Timberwolves and Nuggets will square off for game one on Saturday, May 4 at 6 P.M. local time. Game two will follow on Monday, May 6. The series will shift to Minneapolis next Friday, May 20 and Sunday, May 12. The Nuggets are currently a 5.5 point favorites for game one.
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