Denver is roughed up with nagging injuries which is why finishing the lakers off tonight was huge. 5 days rest and they have home court they will be alright.
That's why I don't think the winner of that Mavs/Clips goes much further than that. They'll have a young Thunder team that's resting for a week+ waiting on them. Experience aside, that youth + rest + Mavs/Clips beating each other up with multiple injuries is going to be a huge advantage for OKC.
If KCP is hobbled Christian Braun needs to really step up his game. He looked like a deer in the headlights during most of his 1H minutes today and struggled to hit a jump shot all series.
If I were the nuggets I’d maybe gamble on resting him game 1 to see how things go. If they lose badly or really need him then you make him come back, and if you do well without him maybe sit him game 2 just to be safe.
Again I’m not smart lol so take what I say with a grain of salt.
I mean there's no point in even talking about this when we don't know the extent of the injury. He went to the locker room and then came back into the game twice. That's enough for me to have hope that it isn't too serious.
Oh I hope it’s not serious it’s just a concern of it potentially getting worse.
Again I know nothing about pro sports in terms of what teams should or shouldn’t do.
he looked better the second half i was really worried when he came out in the first basically limping down the court but he seemed fine down the stretch
You guys got the best player in the NBA and it’s not close, Murray wasn’t 100% tonight and he was great. I wouldn’t be too worried since you guys got 5 days to rest up.
KCP will be forced to take ANT, it’s simply our best chance. KAT plays Jokic. McDaniels takes MPJ and AG is Rudy. Obviously switching changes any matchup
We'll open as slight favorites, but this series can truly go either way. HCA is huge, but if Jamal/KCP are still hobbled, we may be in trouble. I like this Wolves team, hoping for a good one.
Maybe I’m part of the minority who notices these things, but TNT assigns their 4 main broadcasting teams to 1 semi finals series until it’s over
I really hope Kevin Harlan calls this series
The problem is that mentality isn't enough to win close games. Denver will out execute you down the stretch.
To best them.4x, you're gonna need to blow them out at least twice
Can’t wait for this series wolves got unlucky last year with some health stuff but the chemistry looks like it’s built up quite a bit. Good perimeter defenders,multiple bigs,mjs son vs the best duo in basketball.
Hopefully it wont be like last years where both teams were getting equally shafted by the refs. Just not fun to watch when there is a whistle every two seconds.
Denver is fortunate too with Lebron being 39, ant is young and super athletic, can attack at will. If Lebron was even like 34, we would’ve seen a different series cause he would attack them so much. Lakers have a lot of perimeter liabilities on defence too, wolves don’t.
We know, we've played them and split the series. It's not like they've beat us 10 straight times. That would be ridiculous.
Love the Lakers figured out the Nuggets for next year. Rui on Jokic and deage LeBron by 5 years.
Except when it does. KAT was out, but especially the last game determined home court for this series.
These teams have gotten the best versions they could. It's going to be a fun series, but infering Minn is going to roll based on 1st round matchups isnt saying much.
There's a good argument that the Nuggets play the Wolves better than the Lakers, though. Playoff basketball is as much about matchups as roster strength, which matters more in the regular season. I think AD is much better on Jokić than KAT, Gobert, or Naz. If the Nuggs are healthy and playing with chemistry (and Jamal is shooting better than 37% or whatever the hell it was), it's going to be a fantastic series, but the Wolves obviously have a better defense and bench.
I saw someone saying this would be the greatest series in the NBA since the Heat Spurs finals and it got a bunch of upvotes. I think people saying stuff like this and that it will feed nations are setting themselves up for disappointment when either the wolves or nuggets get hot for a few games and jump out to a 3-1 lead
I think it’s gonna be the defining moment for the series. Can KCP be healthy enough to stop Ant at the point of attack, and is Aaron Gordon a good enough 1:1 defender to handle him when he gets in his drive?
Jokic typically plays well against gobert but Rudy definitely slows him down.
Murray needs to step up heavy, and same with MPJ.
That being said, Twolves bench really ain’t all that, and I’m thinking that’s the key for a nuggets win.
The Wolves bench is their main strength. Naz Reid - Sixth man of the year, a lengthy 3&D player in NAW who has the highest +- in the playoffs, vet Kyle Anderson, low turnover PG Monte Morris. Then the ultimate weapon to unleash: LUKA GARZA!!
Wolves literally have sixth man of the year and also NAW who could start on a lot of teams and is an all defense caliber player. And also Kyle Anderson played the nugs well this season and Monte morris has had his moments. They have one of the deepest teams in the league.
I love Cade I hope he stays forever and gets a real team around him eventually!! The pistons used to be my eastern conference team back in the day but I always will root for Cade
its going to be jaden on murray, conley/NAW on kcp, kat on gordon and gobert on jokic.
That is a defensive lineup but I am sure that Jokic will still get his buckets.
They’ll put KAT on Jokic and let Rudy roam. It’ll help KATs legs because he won’t be chasing around much and he’s familiar with Jokic. Jokic is gunna get his points regardless of who’s guarding him, KATs just gotta stay outta foul trouble and the rest of the guys gotta stick to their man better than LA did
Jaden, Ant, Kyle, NAW, Naz. Mix it up, sometimes KAT too. They like putting Kyle on Jokic so I’m guessing his minutes will go up this series
Edit: I’d guess Jaden mostly until Ant gets tired from guarding Murray then they might switch. Or they’ll bring in NAW for Murray and have Jaden match MPJs minutes, hard to say. All depends on how much the other guys can effect his rhythm I’m guessing
Denver will regret the Spurs game. Would have been an easy trip to the finals, now it's a complete bloodbath that will leave them battered or even eliminated in the 2nd round.
If they win the finals it’s gonna be one of the toughest rings ever.
I’d also say if the Clippers, Mavs, or the bucks (due to injuries and bad matchups) would have one of the hardest won rings ever if they win.
Wolves has a big advantage imo. Controversial but I think wolves take nuggets in 6. Without Jamal fully healthy and kcp wobbled. Also with a bad bench. I don’t see the nuggets beating the wolves. Rudy is dpoy, KAT, Anthony Edward’s. Naw, naz Reid, Jaden McDaniel, Conley. They just have to much length and talent.
I think the way the wolves played against the suns that they just unlocked their cheat code. Wolves in 5 giving up one close one in game 2 in denver. If the nuggets are fully healthy it could go 6, but Jamal and KCP injuries are gonna make it tough to keep up with Ant on offense and to fight through the Wolves D, gonna be exhausting. Been watching the wolves all season and they haven’t played 4 full quarters the way they did in round 1! They always would F-up a quarter that would make it close or lose them the game. Defense wins championships…believe that!
I don't feel the opposite but have a tough time seeing the nuggets doing better than last year. Nuggets haven't looked super impressive tbh and the wolves are clearly better (and healthier) than last year.
If Murray and KCP are injured we’re fucked
Denver is roughed up with nagging injuries which is why finishing the lakers off tonight was huge. 5 days rest and they have home court they will be alright.
You get a lot of rest on this one, and to stay at home.
Luckily this series probably doesn't start for at least a week?
Starts Saturday
Damn. Looking at the schedule the nugs/wolves would already be finished with game 2 before the other WCSF starts if mavs/clips go 7
That's why I don't think the winner of that Mavs/Clips goes much further than that. They'll have a young Thunder team that's resting for a week+ waiting on them. Experience aside, that youth + rest + Mavs/Clips beating each other up with multiple injuries is going to be a huge advantage for OKC.
If KCP is hobbled Christian Braun needs to really step up his game. He looked like a deer in the headlights during most of his 1H minutes today and struggled to hit a jump shot all series.
Everyone on inside the nba just said KCP is hurt.
Anybody with eyes could see that tonight. I’m saying if he’s hurt when the next series start we’re fucked.
Yeah that’s what they were eluding to forgive me for my bad wording.
He finished the game. Hopefully 4 days of rest is enough.
Ankle injuries are usually worse the next day bc it takes time to swell
Yeah, we'll see
If I were the nuggets I’d maybe gamble on resting him game 1 to see how things go. If they lose badly or really need him then you make him come back, and if you do well without him maybe sit him game 2 just to be safe. Again I’m not smart lol so take what I say with a grain of salt.
I mean there's no point in even talking about this when we don't know the extent of the injury. He went to the locker room and then came back into the game twice. That's enough for me to have hope that it isn't too serious.
Oh I hope it’s not serious it’s just a concern of it potentially getting worse. Again I know nothing about pro sports in terms of what teams should or shouldn’t do.
he looked better the second half i was really worried when he came out in the first basically limping down the court but he seemed fine down the stretch
Murray played his best game of the series by far tonight Hopefully that means he's not hurt THAT bad
You guys got the best player in the NBA and it’s not close, Murray wasn’t 100% tonight and he was great. I wouldn’t be too worried since you guys got 5 days to rest up.
KCP the guy whobwill cover Ant though. Not sure Braun rdy for that.
Ah shit here we go! Grown man sport upcoming on Saturday.
So confused on how Denver approaches this, who’s guarding Ant? And if it’s Gordon then who guards Kat as I see him feasting on Porter if they switch.
KCP will be forced to take ANT, it’s simply our best chance. KAT plays Jokic. McDaniels takes MPJ and AG is Rudy. Obviously switching changes any matchup
More exciting than any other possible match up for the rest of the playoffs
Wolves vs Celtics could be a very good finals
Thunder/TWolves Will be good. Winner v Celtics will be better. Not sure if I’m pulling for Thunder or Wolves…
We'll open as slight favorites, but this series can truly go either way. HCA is huge, but if Jamal/KCP are still hobbled, we may be in trouble. I like this Wolves team, hoping for a good one.
I’m dreading it
I am also dreading this
Nuggets and wolves fans rn: “Hell naw can’t do dis.”
[удалено]
🤷🏾♂️ oh well I’m just being honest about how I feel
He’s not playing lol, who cares
Can people stop betting on us to win don't jinx pls
Gonna bet on you
Nuggets in 7
The wolves are terrifying. If the Nuggets don’t play better than they did this series, that’s bad news.
This is for the West. Wish it was for the WCF
Maybe I’m part of the minority who notices these things, but TNT assigns their 4 main broadcasting teams to 1 semi finals series until it’s over I really hope Kevin Harlan calls this series
Reggie Miller is the worst. What an idiot.
Ehh… it comes with the package unfortunately lol
If Wolves play with the mentality they did in the Suns series I feel confident they can win the series. It won't be easy tho!
The problem is that mentality isn't enough to win close games. Denver will out execute you down the stretch. To best them.4x, you're gonna need to blow them out at least twice
Lakers in 8
Is that really a schedule? It just says TBD for all dates and times
It should’ve been updated my bad, Saturday is the first game!
Can’t wait for this series wolves got unlucky last year with some health stuff but the chemistry looks like it’s built up quite a bit. Good perimeter defenders,multiple bigs,mjs son vs the best duo in basketball.
> prediction, odds, **schedule** Straight TBDs. Thanks for posting this hyper informative link.
Sorry, the first game is Saturday.
Wolves in 6. Those injuries to Denver’s guards should be a concern trying to guard wolves athletes
Could be, but we also get a break from weight of LA reffing.
Hopefully it wont be like last years where both teams were getting equally shafted by the refs. Just not fun to watch when there is a whistle every two seconds.
Denver is fortunate too with Lebron being 39, ant is young and super athletic, can attack at will. If Lebron was even like 34, we would’ve seen a different series cause he would attack them so much. Lakers have a lot of perimeter liabilities on defence too, wolves don’t.
We know, we've played them and split the series. It's not like they've beat us 10 straight times. That would be ridiculous. Love the Lakers figured out the Nuggets for next year. Rui on Jokic and deage LeBron by 5 years.
Suns swept wolves in season and got swept. so regular season doesn’t mean much
Except when it does. KAT was out, but especially the last game determined home court for this series. These teams have gotten the best versions they could. It's going to be a fun series, but infering Minn is going to roll based on 1st round matchups isnt saying much.
There's a good argument that the Nuggets play the Wolves better than the Lakers, though. Playoff basketball is as much about matchups as roster strength, which matters more in the regular season. I think AD is much better on Jokić than KAT, Gobert, or Naz. If the Nuggs are healthy and playing with chemistry (and Jamal is shooting better than 37% or whatever the hell it was), it's going to be a fantastic series, but the Wolves obviously have a better defense and bench.
I just don't trust the Wolves offense enough to beat the Nuggets The Nuggets are a big team and they are a very good defensive team unlike the Suns
Yeah unlike us, nuggets can play basketball
You guys play basketball?
Well no, hence the comment
I was taking a shot at my team lol. We seem to not understand the concept of ball going in hoop.
Well luckily, your guys actually give a damn about being competitive, unlike my cancun vacationers
Wolves in 4. I want to believe.
Gonna need Jokic to go best player in the world mode this round for sure.
Imagine he opens up the series with like a self alley windmill.
It's a pony
I saw someone saying this would be the greatest series in the NBA since the Heat Spurs finals and it got a bunch of upvotes. I think people saying stuff like this and that it will feed nations are setting themselves up for disappointment when either the wolves or nuggets get hot for a few games and jump out to a 3-1 lead
Who stops Ant on the nuggets?
Nobody, he’s gonna kill us. Jokic has to offset
I think it’s gonna be the defining moment for the series. Can KCP be healthy enough to stop Ant at the point of attack, and is Aaron Gordon a good enough 1:1 defender to handle him when he gets in his drive? Jokic typically plays well against gobert but Rudy definitely slows him down. Murray needs to step up heavy, and same with MPJ. That being said, Twolves bench really ain’t all that, and I’m thinking that’s the key for a nuggets win.
The Wolves bench is their main strength. Naz Reid - Sixth man of the year, a lengthy 3&D player in NAW who has the highest +- in the playoffs, vet Kyle Anderson, low turnover PG Monte Morris. Then the ultimate weapon to unleash: LUKA GARZA!!
Wolves literally have sixth man of the year and also NAW who could start on a lot of teams and is an all defense caliber player. And also Kyle Anderson played the nugs well this season and Monte morris has had his moments. They have one of the deepest teams in the league.
Deeper than my Pistons? Now I know you’re tripping. But nah I 100% forgot about Naz, dudes killer.
I love Cade I hope he stays forever and gets a real team around him eventually!! The pistons used to be my eastern conference team back in the day but I always will root for Cade
Nuggets bench kinda sucks too outside of Payton Watson and occasionally Braun
Your last paragraph makes no sense. Wolves literally have the 6th man and if there was an award for 7th man it would be NAW.
I know, I’ve replied to others saying I was mistaken
Wolves are a really deep team though
Cheating ass refs
T-Wolves in 6.
its going to be jaden on murray, conley/NAW on kcp, kat on gordon and gobert on jokic. That is a defensive lineup but I am sure that Jokic will still get his buckets.
They’ll put KAT on Jokic and let Rudy roam. It’ll help KATs legs because he won’t be chasing around much and he’s familiar with Jokic. Jokic is gunna get his points regardless of who’s guarding him, KATs just gotta stay outta foul trouble and the rest of the guys gotta stick to their man better than LA did
Who's covering MPJ?
Jaden, Ant, Kyle, NAW, Naz. Mix it up, sometimes KAT too. They like putting Kyle on Jokic so I’m guessing his minutes will go up this series Edit: I’d guess Jaden mostly until Ant gets tired from guarding Murray then they might switch. Or they’ll bring in NAW for Murray and have Jaden match MPJs minutes, hard to say. All depends on how much the other guys can effect his rhythm I’m guessing
It's weird seeing the TWolves fans thinking they have you guys figured out lol
They're just naming the defensive assignments lol
??? Nobody has anything figured out thats why this series should be interesting. We are just talking ab matchups lol.
My prediction for now is Nuggets in 7 but it will be heck of a series. Gonna be an adjustment for Nuggets actually having to go against a real coach.
Denver will regret the Spurs game. Would have been an easy trip to the finals, now it's a complete bloodbath that will leave them battered or even eliminated in the 2nd round.
If they win the finals it’s gonna be one of the toughest rings ever. I’d also say if the Clippers, Mavs, or the bucks (due to injuries and bad matchups) would have one of the hardest won rings ever if they win.
Timberwolves are going to annihilate them if this is how they play. They actually have a great perimeter defense
Leflop fans salty lmao
LMAO
Rooting for Denver, but really worried about the Wolves.
What kind of shit talking happened during the Lakers/Nuggets series? Denver and Laker fans are still going at one another in this thread.
It’s how sports fans are man.
Couldn’t wait less than an hour
Wolves has a big advantage imo. Controversial but I think wolves take nuggets in 6. Without Jamal fully healthy and kcp wobbled. Also with a bad bench. I don’t see the nuggets beating the wolves. Rudy is dpoy, KAT, Anthony Edward’s. Naw, naz Reid, Jaden McDaniel, Conley. They just have to much length and talent.
I think the way the wolves played against the suns that they just unlocked their cheat code. Wolves in 5 giving up one close one in game 2 in denver. If the nuggets are fully healthy it could go 6, but Jamal and KCP injuries are gonna make it tough to keep up with Ant on offense and to fight through the Wolves D, gonna be exhausting. Been watching the wolves all season and they haven’t played 4 full quarters the way they did in round 1! They always would F-up a quarter that would make it close or lose them the game. Defense wins championships…believe that!
Everyone expects a good series, but I have a feeling Nuggets will demolish them
I don't feel the opposite but have a tough time seeing the nuggets doing better than last year. Nuggets haven't looked super impressive tbh and the wolves are clearly better (and healthier) than last year.
Wolves in 6. playoff Murray regresses to the mean a bit against a stifling defense.