The Nuggets Match up Perfectly With the Timberwolves

Murray’s Moment

Despite the roster changes both teams have undergone, the most notable change concerns a player who has been with the Nuggets since 2016. That player is Jamal Murray.

In the 2023 series, Jamal Murray was on fire. In those five games, he averaged more than 27 points, going off for 35 and 40 while shooting nearly 43% from three. However, the 2024 series was a different story.

In the seven-game showdown, Murray averaged just over 18 points. He failed to reach 20 points in five of the seven games while shooting a measly 33% from three. The defensive trio of Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker completely silenced Murray in that series, rendering him a non-factor. Given how much Denver relies on historic playoff runs, they never stood a chance without Murray’s production. This year, though, Murray has hit a new gear, making another collapse seem implausible.

This season, Murray is posting career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, three-point percentage, and field goal percentage. He is averaging over 25 points per game, a full 4 points higher than his previous best season. In the past, Murray has been solid in the regular season, which has forced him to shift into overdrive in the playoffs. However, he is clearly already at that level.

Additionally, Murray has shown he can now handle Minnesota’s on-ball pressure. This season against the Timberwolves, Murray is averaging 31.5 points and shooting nearly 44% from three. Expect Edwards and McDaniels to make Murray’s life difficult, but be ready when he shakes them off and shines.

Bench Boost

The way NBA teams use their benches in the playoffs has changed dramatically in just the past two years. In that 2024 series, both teams primarily ran eight-man rotations, with only one or two bench players per team getting quality minutes. Last year, though, teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers began running ten-man rotations—or at least nine-man rotations, with three or more bench players getting crucial playing time.

Last season, the Thunder and the Pacers demonstrated the importance of depth, which is exactly what Denver had been lacking. In 2024, the bench players getting minutes for Denver were Christian Braun, Reggie Jackson, and Justin Holiday. While Braun has blossomed, Jackson and Holiday were simply not going to cut it. However, this year, the Nuggets have more bench options than they can count.

Upgraded Unit

With KCP’s departure, Braun has moved into the starting lineup. Denver brought in reinforcements, including Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones, and Julian Strawther. Coach David Adelman can now pick and choose how he wants to attack each game. If Edwards is getting hot, he can put in Jones to slow him down. If Denver is losing the three-point battle, Hardaway Jr. can come in and fire up some threes. And if they desperately need a spark, Strawther can provide one quickly.

Naz Reid is clearly a tremendous sixth man, and Ayo Dosunmu has been fantastic coming off the bench. But across the board, Denver’s bench offers far more versatility. Should an injury occur, the Nuggets have the depth to bounce back, whereas Minnesota could be one key player away from a loss. Moreover, this Denver team more closely mirrors last year’s Thunder and Pacers, which, as we know, are championship-caliber units.

Offensive Output

There are additional specifics about this matchup that give Denver a leg up. The transition from Towns to Randle should make it easier for Jokic to attack. The addition of Cameron Johnson over Porter Jr. fortifies Denver’s perimeter defense. However, none of those details matter as much as this overarching truth: The Timberwolves cannot hang with the Nuggets offensively.

All season long, especially later in the year when they reached full health, Denver has been on a tear. The Nuggets have not lost since March 20th, closing out the year on a 12-game winning streak. Additionally, Denver led the league in points per game and three-point percentage. They also finished second in field goal percentage and third in field goals made per game. What’s more, Denver is at least five spots higher than Minnesota in each of those statistics.

The Nuggets have too much firepower. The duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic already brought Denver a championship. Now factor in players like Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Peyton Watson. Each could drop 20 or more on any given night. In fact, during that 12-game win streak, each player had a 19-point game.

Donte Divincenzo, Naz Reid, Ayo Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels, and Bones Hyland can all score. But Edwards and Randle will have to do most of the heavy lifting. Everyone in Denver’s rotation can hit threes, create their own shot, and make plays for others. That is a luxury very few NBA teams have. Minnesota will likely put up a great fight, but the Nuggets’ offense will prove too much.

Series Speculation

The Timberwolves are one of the best teams in the NBA, and it’s a shame they were matched up against the Nuggets. Had they faced the Rockets, Lakers, or even the Spurs, their chances would be better.

Nevertheless, they won’t make the series easy for Denver, as they’ll likely win a game or two, but nothing more.

Minnesota had the upper hand in 2024, but the Nuggets’ fortunes have shifted. Jamal Murray is playing out of his mind, they have remarkable depth, and their offense has been on another planet. Ultimately, this matchup bodes very well for Denver, which could be well on its way to another championship run.

The post The Nuggets Match up Perfectly With the Timberwolves appeared first on The Lead.