When a team rosters Nikola Jokic (and Jamal Murray), they will be a stellar offensive squad nearly no matter who else is enjoying. The Denver Nuggets completed the common season with a 122.5 offensive ranking, greatest within the NBA.
Not solely do their two stars put up plenty of factors, however they achieve this in an environment friendly method. That definitely wasn’t the case in Game 3 of their opening spherical matchup towards the Minnesota Timberwolves. Per OptaSTATS, Minnesota became the first team ever to carry two 25-plus level scorers within the common season to below 30 % capturing in a playoff sport the place they every took at the least 15 pictures.
Defensive masterpiece on the Nuggets’ two stars
No, the Timberwolves aren’t a foul offensive workforce. It’s simply that within the Rudy Gobert period, their calling card has been on the defensive facet. In Thursday’s 113-96 victory to present Minnesota a 2-1 benefit within the opening spherical collection, the Wolves’ protection made life miserable for both the Joker and Murray.
Jokic shot simply 7-for-26 from the sector (2-for-10 from 3-point vary). He completed with 27 factors, however that’s largely as a consequence of making all 11 of his free-throw makes an attempt. A passing savant, the 3-time MVP had extra turnovers (4) than assists (three) in Game 3.
Known as a playoff riser, Murray was additionally held in test by a smothering Minnesota protection. His closing line consisted of simply 5-for-17 capturing from the sector whereas lacking all 5 of his 3-point tries.
The first quarter set the tone for the sport as Denver scored simply 11 factors over the primary 12 minutes. Jokic and Murray mixed to make solely two of their 11 area objective makes an attempt within the interval.
Altogether, the Nuggets All-Stars went 12-for-43 from the sector. The second quarter was simply their greatest (though 5-for-2 is nothing to put in writing residence about), however within the different three, they had been simply 7-for-31.
Having a four-time Defensive Player of the Year (and one which feels he was snubbed by ending fourth in DPOY voting this season) in Gobert certainly helps. His defensive impression can’t be overstated to this point on this collection as a result of it’s not like Jokic has at all times been shut down by him. As a matter of truth, among the Joker’s greatest video games of his profession have come towards Gobert and the Wolves.
The Timberwolves nonetheless want two extra wins to advance to the following spherical. If Game 3 is a harbinger of what’s to return in the remainder of this opening spherical collection, nicely, good luck, Denver.
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