Defenseless nibbles relinquish command.
It seemed like a sure win for the Denver Nuggets, but then everything fell apart. The Minnesota Timberwolves managed to push past them, securing a spot to play against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals. Nikola Jokic and his team were the only bright spot for the Nuggets.
Despite a 20-point lead, the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, were unable to make it to the next round of the NBA playoffs. They lost 90-98 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending their season. The game was still in the Nuggets favor, with a 58-38 advantage in the third quarter, but then the Denver team lost control of the match and had no chance of winning in the last minutes. Jokic, voted MVP of the regular season, will not be advancing with his team.
Even though the Timberwolves were only 15 points ahead at halftime, they managed to make a massive comeback. Coaches credited their extraordinary defense as a key to their success. "The effort was there. The offense didn't work well in the first half, so we simplified things a bit," said Timberwolves' coach Chris Finch. "We weren't shooting particularly well but our defense was always present." They then had a 28-9 run in the third quarter.
The Timberwolves had a difficult time with their scoring in the first half, but they received support from their teammates. Anthony Edwards, their young star, only managed 16 points, but McDaniels and Towns each scored 23. The Timberwolves had superior defense in the final quarter, frustrating the Nuggets. Jokic played a heroic game, playing 47 of 48 minutes, he was visibly exhausted.
The Western Conference Finals will have a maximum of 7 games to decide a winner. The first two games between the Mavericks and the Timberwolves will be played in Minneapolis. In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers will face the Boston Celtics. The first game takes place in Boston on Wednesday night. The Pacers progressed to this match after winning their seventh game 130-109 against the New York Knicks, led by German-born player Isaiah Hartenstein.
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The Denver Nuggets' disappointing exit from the NBA playoffs means they won't be participating in the NBA Basketball playoffs' Basketball playoffs against the Western Conference's top team, the Dallas Mavericks. Despite their impressive defense, the Minnesota Timberwolves managed to clinch their spot in the NBA finals due to their strong performance in the playoffs, showcasing their talent in NBA Basketball.
Source: www.ntv.de
