Will the Timberwolves‘ vibes pull them through to the next round? Or will the Nuggets‘ experience prove the deciding factor of Game 7? (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
This Game 7 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets could be an all-timer. Not only is it the deciding game in a hotly contested series between two incredibly talented teams, the storylines surrounding this matchup have made it even more compelling.
The Nuggets are a machine. This is the sixth consecutive year they’ve made it to the playoffs, and they’re the defending champions. The duo of Jamal Murray and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić is borderline unstoppable. As a franchise they’re 4-3 in Game 7’s, but this core group of players is 3-1. They’ve got the experience and the talent.
But don’t look now, the Timberwolves are coming. They’ve made the playoff three years in a row. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are coming into their own. The vibes are impeccable. They’ve even made Rudy Gobert likable!
That alone might not be enough for them to overcome the Nuggets, but the Timberwolves have one other thing on their side for Game 7: history. Sunday is the 20th anniversary of Minnesota’s 83-80 Game 7 win over the Sacramento Kings in the second round, in which birthday boy Kevin Garnett scored 32 points with 21 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals.
Will a Timberwolves player turn in a KG-esque performance that will lift them over the Nuggets? Or will the experience of Jokić and Co. end Minnesota’s run? Follow all the Game 7 action below.
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Wolves win 98-90. There wasn’t even any drama, and Ant didn’t even play well
And that’s it. Minnesota will win Game 7 on the road. Wow.
Rudy’s out, Karl has 5 fouls and the champs had better go through the MVP if they want any chance of pulling this off.
Minny up 10 with 2:40 left. The kids are all right.
It is 85-82 Wolves with 4:30 left. Yowza.
Minny has to trust Rudy in the short roll. I know it’s impossible to consider but that’s what Denver will give up. Every now and then hit him.
A weird series gets weirder in a Game 7, as expected. 53-38 at the half. Jamal Murray with 24, Ant 1-of-7 for 4 points. You couldn’t script it any better for the champs.
Towns doing work
Karl Towns, literally keeping this game from being a blowout. 13 of the Wolves’ 38 points. They trail by 10.
