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00:00Game break, we're going to have Ant-Man and the Minnesota Timberwolves, number three scorer in the league, and taking
00:07on Denver, and the Joker, who has the NBA's season-high 56 points, came against this same team on Christmas
00:15Day, and a walking triple-double.
00:18That comes your way in just a couple of minutes. Back here inside Studio J, Ernie Johnson with Shaq, Jalen
00:24Rose, and Charles Barkley. This was an emphatic statement by the New York Knicks, Jalen.
00:30Absolutely, and everybody that got an opportunity to play minutes played well, and they contributed. And the difference, Castle, when
00:36he was on Brunson, the first 10 minutes of the game, he was 0 for 1 and had 0 points.
00:40All of a sudden, he goes out of the game, Brunson gets hot, New York gets on a bunch of
00:45big runs, the three-point shooting, Anthony Towns was hustling on the board, so was Hart, O'Giano Noby, Mikael
00:51Bridges. It was a team win at home.
00:53Absolutely. Absolutely. Only guy you didn't mention also had a big game, Muhammad D. Awara. It was, top to bottom,
00:59a great effort.
01:00Yeah, great effort, well-balanced attack by the Knicks. Everybody in the starting five in double figures. You know, Carl
01:04Anthony Towns didn't play offensively, I mean, great offensively, but he did a great job on the offensive rebounds when
01:10they had a smaller guy on them, moving them out of the way, going to the board. So, great job
01:14by the Knicks.
01:14We have, like, 21 seconds left, Chuck. I did that by design.
01:19Yeah, great strategy. They attacked the one by the Knicks.
01:24Okay. Yeah, great strategy by you.
01:27Now we're down to 13 seconds.
01:29Now we can see. That was a great game by the Knicks. Congratulations. Now I'm really looking forward to watching
01:33Ant-Man against the Joker.
01:34Well done. We'll take you to Denver after this timeout.
01:44The NBA have faced one another more than the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
01:50These Western Conference rivals and potential title contenders meet again today in the Mile High City.
01:57Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
02:00His season high and career high have both come against the Wolves,
02:04while Anthony Edwards had 44 points on Christmas Day here in Denver.
02:10Just 22 games left for both Minnesota and Denver as we welcome you to NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC, presented
02:18by Popeyes.
02:22Both Denver and Minnesota, 37 and 23.
02:26Tied for fourth in the Western Conference, but Denver owns the tiebreaker,
02:30winning the three previous meetings this season, including on Christmas Day, 142 to 138 in overtime.
02:44Oklahoma City now with a two-game lead over San Antonio with the Spurs losing just earlier here on ABC
02:49to the Knicks.
02:50Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, and Katie George.
02:53Well, 28 times these two teams have met over the last three years, including twice in the postseason.
02:58That game on Christmas, one of the best games of the season,
03:01and for Nikola Jokic, Doris, one of the best games of his career.
03:04He seems to take particular pleasure in putting a hurt on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
03:08That was the best stretch of basketball prior to the knee injury that we had seen the three-time MVP
03:15play,
03:15and that's an incredible statement.
03:17On the other side, you have a young man who aspires to be an MVP.
03:22He's coming off an All-Star MVP.
03:24And post-All-Star game, he has used that momentum, Dave, to average over 33 points per game.
03:30He is a shot-maker at the highest level.
03:33Send two or three defenders at him.
03:35He wants the opportunity.
03:37And nine straight games with 25 points or more against Denver.
03:41He is the third-leading scorer in the NBA.
03:43Jokic is number six.
03:45And Jokic also leads the league in rebounds and assists.
03:49Our starting lineups for today's game, the usual five for Minnesota,
03:54which is good news because Julius Randle, who's played in every game,
03:58was listed as questionable with back spasms,
04:01and he's coming off his worst game in three years.
04:03Just four points, although in a win for Minnesota.
04:06Jamal Murray, Brown Strother, Cam Johnson, Nikola Jokic,
04:10although Denver is optimistic about the soon return of two key players,
04:16Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson.
04:22I think in particular, Nikola Jokic misses Aaron Gordon
04:26because Aaron understands how to play off of Jokic as well as anyone.
04:32He's that baseline runner, gives a great presence at the dunker spot for Denver.
04:37That is a presence they miss on both sides of the ball.
04:42Denver played Friday night in Oklahoma City.
04:45Lost that game in overtime.
04:46There was an altercation in that game after Lou Dort committed a flagrant two-foul,
04:52tripping Nikola Jokic, which sent Jokic into a rage.
04:57He was ignited early when he got into it with Shea Gilgis-Alexander,
05:01threw a ball at him, and got a technical.
05:03Let's see if there's a carryover with that intensity for Jokic and the Nuggets
05:08because the rivalry between these two equals that between Denver and OKC.
05:14Murray misses to start the game.
05:17One and done for Denver.
05:26Here's Randall working on Cam Johnson.
05:29Spinning, kept the pivot foot down, missed badly.
05:32And here comes Brown.
05:35Rich and Brown at 23 points Friday, maybe his best game of the season,
05:40or certainly one of them.
05:41He's missed a good part of the year with ankle injuries.
05:43Jokic misses in the paint.
05:45That Friday night game, his second worst shooting performance of the year.
05:51We keep talking about his struggles shooting the jump shot.
05:54And it's appropriate because it's true.
05:57As Dante gets a jumper to fall.
05:59But even as Jokic has, quote, struggled,
06:02the percentages are efficiency numbers that most players would love to have.
06:07Inside, Johnson throws it out.
06:14Shot clock down to seven.
06:18Jokic will hoist the three, and it's an air ball.
06:21His 23 three-point attempts the last two games,
06:23the most in any two-game span, including the playoffs, and Jokic's career.
06:28And it should be noted, he has been battling a wrist injury.
06:33There's times he wears tape on the wrist, times he does not.
06:37And our understanding is this has been problematic for at least a couple of years,
06:42but the constant swiping and hitting on it certainly has an impact.
06:46No question.
06:47So it's 3-0 Minnesota.
06:48We apologize for a little technical difficulties.
06:51We can't show you the score right now as balls out of bounds off of Minnesota.
06:57Denver 0 for 3 to start, 0 for 2 from behind the yard.
07:01Minnesota's won two straight, five of the last six,
07:03three straight on the road, which ties the season high.
07:06Denver coming off its worst month of the year.
07:09They're glad that the calendar has turned to March.
07:12Johnson's three, not close.
07:14Saved by DiVincenzo.
07:16Denver was four and seven in February,
07:18and that was with Jokic in the lineup after he missed all of January.
07:24Here's Edwards.
07:26Fires inside, and that should be a foul.
07:30Yeah, it's going to be a foul on Strother, definitely.
07:31I mean, he was absolutely buried under the post by Rudy Gobert.
07:37First foul in the game on either team.
07:42We have played two minutes.
07:43It is 3-0 Minnesota.
07:45And actually, the scoreboard in the arena isn't working either.
07:50As that was last touched by Gobert, Denver ball.
07:55Yes, it will be Denver ball.
07:57Technical glitches all over the place on a Sunday afternoon.
08:01At least the horn isn't going off for 12 straight minutes.
08:08Jokic has it knocked out of bounds off his leg by Gobert.
08:12Now we've got this working here down here.
08:14At least you can see the score.
08:17There's 9.50 left.
08:18We may have to continue to update fans on where we are with the clock.
08:25Might be a little more like a radio call for you, Dave.
08:28We're used to that.
08:29We can handle that.
08:31Edwards had it deflected.
08:33It ended up getting to Gobert.
08:34Now McDaniels, who's having a career year,
08:36gets inside and scores with the left hand.
08:38I just think back to his rookie season.
08:40There's just things that he does now on the offensive end
08:43with a confidence that's tremendous.
08:45Give that young man credit.
08:47He has worked so hard to develop his game.
08:499.20 remaining in the first.
08:52Jokic, long two, and Denver finally on the board.
08:55It took almost three minutes.
08:56Yeah, they're starting their offense in the middle of the floor.
08:59That two-man game, we can see it on repeat.
09:01I like that it's happening right there in the middle.
09:03One, two, three, three, four.
09:06Edwards skips to DiVincenzo.
09:09Dangerous pass.
09:10Strother was upset he didn't get the steal.
09:13Randle's three off the side of the rim.
09:14His struggles continue.
09:160 for 2 so far.
09:171 of 10 last game.
09:18Great beat by Jokic to the cutting Christian Brown.
09:21And I say it all the time.
09:23Christian Brown runs the floor like a big trying to get to a rim run.
09:27But that ability to put pressure on and transition important.
09:32Edwards can't kiss it in with the left hand.
09:35His first shot attempt to the game.
09:39Clock is at 8.27 right now.
09:42As Murray gets loose and connects on a three.
09:45You can see the other three players for Denver down, stretched by the baseline.
09:51You're letting that two-man game work in space, and Murray makes you care.
09:55So with eight minutes to go, Denver scored the last seven after Minnesota started the game in a 5-0
10:00run.
10:01McDaniels takes care of Denver's run, though, getting his second field goal.
10:04He's got that kind of size now, right?
10:06That's two paint buckets for McDaniels.
10:09He's shot the three well all year.
10:11He's fifth in the league in three-point shooting.
10:14Late whistle, but a foul called on the shot attempt.
10:18It's on McDaniels, the first on Minnesota.
10:20And so Jamal Murray will be at the line with 7.56 on the clock.
10:25So we're talking about the Denver two-man game.
10:28These two guys are third all-time in assists to one another behind Tony Parker and Tim Duncan.
10:36And then, of course, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
10:38They have been highly effective as a tandem.
10:44Murray, 88% free throw shooter.
10:48A career year for the first-time All-Star.
10:51He's up to scoring by five points per game.
10:53His personal best in assists, eighth in the league at about seven and a half per game in career.
10:58Shooting numbers as well.
10:59He made a concerted effort, Dave, to come off the gates, the starting gates at the start of the season,
11:05in the best shape of his career.
11:07And wanting to get off to a fast start.
11:10He is a notoriously slow starter to the season.
11:13It's changed the equation for him.
11:16Went one of two, though, on that trip.
11:18Three balls straight on Edwards.
11:19No good.
11:20Rough start for Minnesota.
11:22Three of eight.
11:23One of three from three.
11:24Down one, though, to Denver.
11:26Seven and a half on the clock in the first.
11:28Murray working off the Jokic screen.
11:31Well, McDaniels having all kinds of issues trying to get around Jokic.
11:36Jokic, hard screen set on Dave Inchenzo.
11:39Gets the return pass and is fouled.
11:42And he'll go to the line for two.
11:46Gobert commits the foul, his first.
11:52Nikola Jokic is a hand pull.
11:54They run a lot of dribble handoffs, obviously.
11:56Strother does a good job coming off with speed.
11:58And then it's just a little pocket pass to Jokic.
12:04No one has ever led the NBA in rebounds per game and assists per game.
12:08And Nikola Jokic on pace to do that.
12:10He's got the lead and the assist by about almost a full assist.
12:14And then in rebounding, he's at 12 and a half per game.
12:19Three-time MVP, two-time runner-up.
12:22Yet every year, I feel like, Doris, we sit here and say,
12:24he's been better this year.
12:26It's incredible.
12:26I remember when he himself a year ago talked about,
12:30I think I'm playing the best basketball of my career.
12:33He is not somebody to toot his own horn.
12:35In fact, he is averse to speaking about himself.
12:38Dave Inchenzo's three, no good.
12:40Seven-minute mark, 9-7 Denver, Minnesota.
12:43Just one of four from three.
12:46Denver, one of four as well from three.
12:50Jokic, three points and an assist.
12:52Cam Johnson finds Jokic.
12:55He takes it to the rim and slams it.
12:58It's just so hard to deal with those dribble handoffs
13:01because guys like Strother and Cam figuring out how to play off him.
13:07McDaniels, three off target.
13:09An 11-2 run by Denver.
13:11The Nuggets have scored on six consecutive trips.
13:16Murray collides with McDaniels who hits the deck.
13:20Murray short of the triple try, though.
13:21Kept alive.
13:23And a second chance opportunity.
13:27Jokic on the 22-foot back down of Dave Inchenzo.
13:32And now Brown will dribble it out.
13:33Shot clock at two.
13:34And that one way off.
13:35You could see it as soon as it left his fingertips.
13:37Jokic wanted it on the repost.
13:39Christian Brown elected to turn his back.
13:43Low-scoring game.
13:44We played six minutes here in the first.
13:46A total of 18 points.
13:48Dave Inchenzo launches, and he's fouled by Cam Johnson, shooting a three.
13:53Three free throws coming up.
13:55And we return to Denver with the Nuggets up four.
13:59This is a steady diet of what you have to defend against the Nuggets.
14:02Dribble handoff.
14:03It can be multiple guys.
14:05Off of that screen, Jokic just marches down the lane for an easy bucket.
14:10NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC is presented by Popeyes.
14:15Love that.
14:15One or two in the West.
14:17To win a title.
14:18He said this year, OKC is still the favorite.
14:20But he believes that if you're one through six, he said you can win the whole thing.
14:25He honestly believes that this is a crapshoot.
14:27So he took his team through the remaining schedule, which is one of the most difficult remaining schedules in the
14:31league.
14:32And he said we can be one of those teams to make a run.
14:34We just got to get healthy.
14:36And guys, Denver is very, very close to getting home.
14:39Dave, I took a look at the schedule that they have upcoming.
14:42So back-to-back tomorrow at Utah.
14:45And before March 12th, they have three back-to-backs.
14:50And we're talking about high-level opponents.
14:54They still have three games against the Spurs, two against the Thunder, two against the Lakers.
14:58Now, normally the good news about this would be that 14 of their last 22 games, including today, are home.
15:04But their record on the road has been better than it is at home.
15:07And they're normally one of the best home teams in the league.
15:09And here's the thing.
15:11This is big, right?
15:12Aaron Gordon, I don't want to overreact to anything we're seeing with the Nuggets until this guy comes back.
15:18We touched on it early.
15:19His presence in the dunker spot, the ability to knock down threes at a high clip.
15:23He's as confident as I've seen him from three when he's been healthy.
15:27And then Peyton Watson as well, one of their elite defenders.
15:31Let's get more from Katie.
15:34You mentioned Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson.
15:36They're both now on the same timeline to return to play.
15:38Adelman expects them to be back within a week to 10 days.
15:42He said the medical staff thought Gordon would return first.
15:44But Watson's progressed quicker than expected.
15:46But you know with soft injuries, soft tissue injuries, it's about their comfort level mentally, too.
15:51Are they ready to explode and play in a real game?
15:53But they're due back very soon.
15:54Ninth straight game that Watson has missed.
15:58And for Gordon, it's his 15th consecutive.
16:01McDaniel's three off the heel.
16:02Gobert bats it around.
16:04But it's Denver ball.
16:06Denver leading by four.
16:08Murray lets it fly in the three off the mark.
16:12Murray one of four.
16:13All his shot attempts have come from three.
16:15He scored 39 points Friday in Oklahoma City.
16:19Reed, and the former six-man of the year, comes off the bench and scores quickly.
16:24He just gives them such a lift on the offensive end.
16:27Gets his three off quickly.
16:29Obviously shows you the mid-range there.
16:32The one thing you'd like to see from Nas and Jaden is a little bit more night-to-night consistency.
16:39A great finish by Brown.
16:41Able to spin that home.
16:43And Jokic gets his second assist.
16:47Minnesota in general is not a consistent team as McDaniel scores.
16:51True.
16:51That's kind of how this year has been.
16:53You wonder if some of that is making Western Conference Finals appearances in back-to-back years.
16:58Trying to navigate the regular season.
17:00They were the sixth seed last year and did it.
17:02Jokic goes around.
17:03Gobert gets the reverse layup.
17:07Yeah, to me, it's also maturity for the Timberwolves.
17:14Your best players, Anthony Edwards, still young, but highly skilled.
17:20Hasn't scored yet today.
17:21He's 0 for 2.
17:22Shot clock down to 5.
17:24McDaniels through the lane.
17:25Dave Inchenzo, great look.
17:27Can't knock it down.
17:28One of 7 for Minnesota from 3.
17:31Good look there.
17:32I mean, that's one Dante's very comfortable with.
17:36Jokic, quick catch and shoot.
17:38In the 3 for Hardaway.
17:47Hardaway has been enormous for this team.
17:50His ability to hit those shots, particularly when Jokic was down, helped them win.
17:56But let's watch the 3-time MVP go right around a former Defensive Player of the Year.
18:08Sunday Showcase on ABC, presented by Popeyes.
18:12Time for today's DraftKings Sportsbook Player Pulse.
18:15Looking at Anthony Edwards' scoring average and Nikola Jokic's season numbers for threes per game.
18:21Well, you touched on how many threes he's taken over the last couple of games the most in a two
18:26-game span in his career.
18:28We're all watching him closely, right?
18:31I mean, the shooting efficiency hasn't been as good since he had that time off with a knee injury.
18:36Nas gets another clean look.
18:38Boy, they're just missing some really good looks from 3.
18:41DraftKings is the number one sportsbook for live betting.
18:44Use promo code SPLASH when you sign up.
18:46But there have been no splashes really in this game.
18:481 of 8 from 3 for Minnesota.
18:50Denver 2 of 6.
18:53Here's Brown outside as he loves to Jokic.
18:57The deep catch and the gorgeous float finish.
19:00Jokic has made five straight shots.
19:02I mean, a perfect delivery from Bruce Brown.
19:04Absolutely perfect.
19:08Jokic with 11 on 5 of 7 from the floor.
19:10He's only taken one three.
19:13Minnesota made its first three and has missed seven in a row.
19:16Jokic gets a piece of that out of bounds.
19:18It'll stay with the Wolves.
19:207 to shoot.
19:21Cam Johnson back in for Denver.
19:24And Jamal Murray will get a breather.
19:26Look at that already scoring or assisting on 18 of Denver's points.
19:33Look at him hold Julius' arm.
19:36Oh, my goodness.
19:38Three-pointer goes for Bones Highland, who started his career here in Denver.
19:46Drafted 26th overall in 2021 out of VCU.
19:49It's been a year and a half with the Nuggets before being traded to the Clippers.
19:53Christian Brown with the flush.
19:55Hardaway on the fine.
19:57Shane and Christian get to that baseline in a similar fashion to Aaron Gordon.
20:04Edwards, 0 for 2 from the floor, gets past Jokic that time and lays it in for his first points.
20:10How tough is that?
20:11That low dribble, right as he got near Jokic.
20:14That is tough.
20:16Able to slither by him and get the layup.
20:19Johnson missed fire on the three.
20:21He missed some threes late in the loss to Oklahoma City.
20:28And an offensive foul on Io DeSumo, who's playing his eighth game with Minnesota after being traded from the Bulls.
20:35He's really provided an offensive spark for them, but turns it over that time.
20:40Well, he has done a very good job getting out in transition, putting pressure on early.
20:46But this one, an easy one.
20:48Great positioning by Cam Johnson.
20:52Jokic, great look.
20:53Brown, pushed by Reeve.
20:55Count the basket.
20:56And one.
20:57Nikola Jokic has owned this first quarter as a score and passer.
21:01Yeah, if they're going to play against Nikola Jokic, your off-ball attention span's got to be there.
21:08Nas is too busy ball-watching, loses his feel for where Christian Brown is, and then compounds his mistake.
21:16Like, you can't watch Jokic.
21:19You can't lose sight of your player.
21:21You know that old adage, you've got to see ball and man.
21:24Like, this guy will absolutely pick you apart.
21:27Four assists, 11 points.
21:29That was the fourth team foul on the first on Reed.
21:32It's a nine-point lead again for Denver.
21:35Randall getting downhill, going at Jokic.
21:37Keeps the pivot hook down, but good defense.
21:41Highland with a timer at four.
21:45Shot clock at one.
21:47Reed gets it away in time, but it spins out.
21:55Denver, the number one scoring team in the NBA.
21:57And with a minute to go, they've got already 27 points, and now Jokic going to the line.
22:03Randall commits the foul, his first, and they are over the limit.
22:06That's the thing about Denver.
22:07You are looking opposite.
22:09The number one efficiency, highest scoring team in the NBA.
22:13They will put pressure on you to keep up with them from a points-per-game standpoint.
22:25In that game where Jokic scored 56 on Christmas Day, he was 22 of 23 at the free-throw line.
22:33Two for three so far in this game.
22:35Had a triple-double in the three previous games, all won by Denver.
22:38Denver, his career high, 61 points, came in April against Minnesota.
22:46Gets the bounce of both foul shots.
22:48You philosophically, as a coach, have to decide how you want to handle Denver.
22:53Are you going to send multiple at he and Jamal Murray, like most teams do in crunch time?
22:59They send three defenders at that two-man game and say, like, Cam Johnson had a win, an easy three
23:05to win the game against Oklahoma City.
23:07Can't knock it down.
23:08I mean, those are the, you know, the bounces of the game.
23:11But teams sell out typically to stop this guy.
23:14What a pass again, Jokic.
23:15Great defense, though, by the Wolves at the rim.
23:18And Highland with a score with the layup.
23:21Nice ball handling that time as Hardaway was trying to strip it.
23:25And what do you notice about the Minnesota tempo, right, with Desumo and Highland on the floor?
23:30Now you've got two guys with speed trying to get out and transition.
23:33They were not getting that with their bench earlier.
23:36Behind the back, Jokic and Christian Brown foul.
23:39Oh, my goodness.
23:40First of all, you don't even have to lose track of your defender for this guy, you know, to pick
23:45you apart.
23:46I mean, just watch, folks.
23:48Behind the back, he's leading Christian Brown.
23:52I mean, he's putting it so he doesn't have to slow down.
23:55If he played the quarterback position, like, he'd be throwing darts and bullets all over the field.
24:00He'd be able to see over every offensive lineman.
24:03Yes.
24:04As well.
24:06Imagine trying to sack that guy.
24:08No.
24:09Now, if you had some speed on the line, you'd be able to get to him.
24:12You'd get there, but could you get him down?
24:15Who's faster, him or Peyton Manning in the pocket?
24:18Sure, Peyton, if he's watching, really appreciates that, Doris Burke.
24:23Just letting him know it came from you.
24:25I'm hoping he's traveling back from Knoxville.
24:28He was at his alma mater yesterday.
24:32So Christian Brown, back-to-back good first halves.
24:35He's got nine points so far in the lead 11 for Denver.
24:39Good hustle by Denver.
24:41They've been a very good defensive team for the most part since the All-Star break.
24:45I mean, first of all, their effort is so much better.
24:47Their point-of-attack defense and the pressure physicality, it's been better.
24:52Edwards, again, able to get past Jokic and finish with that left.
24:55Now, that's been an issue, right?
24:58This is a season-long and, frankly, a years-long issue at times for Denver,
25:02that ability to guard the rim, protect the rim.
25:0710 seconds to go in the quarter.
25:10Jokic using the screen.
25:11Reid has him on the switch.
25:13Now Hardaway with four seconds.
25:16Double gives it up.
25:17Deflected by Randolph.
25:18Brown able to grab it, but he can't score.
25:21And the first quarter comes to an end.
25:24Brown and Jokic combined for 22 points.
25:27Minnesota, as a team, scored 22 in that first quarter.
25:32An NBA Sunday showcase will continue after these messages
25:36and a word from our ABC stations.
25:44Today's access brought to you by Mercedes.
25:46We're on the sidelines with Dante DiVincenzo.
25:48Dante, Chris Finch was calling for more force and physicality in the huddle.
25:51In what ways does he want to see that improve?
25:53Just being into the ball.
25:55You know, they're getting too many cuts,
25:57too many second cuts, easy ones at the rim,
25:59and we're fouling so much.
26:00So just keep them in front and then push the pace offensively.
26:04Small sample size,
26:05but what did you think of the offensive execution there?
26:07We had some good moments.
26:08Like you said, small sample size.
26:10Just got to keep pushing the pace, get stops, and get out and run.
26:12We got to stop fouling.
26:13Thanks, Dante.
26:13Thank you.
26:14Guys?
26:15Yeah, Katie, two for ten from three.
26:17And I thought Dante and Naj both had some good looks
26:20to your question about their offense.
26:21It would be interesting.
26:22Do they settle in shooting the basketball?
26:28Bones Highland now with seven points off the bench.
26:33Seven-point lead for Denver.
26:37Shot clock at one.
26:39Zeke Nagy blocked by Gobert and a shot clock violation.
26:43These are always the interesting minutes, right?
26:45Nikola Jokic takes his rest at the start of the second and the start of the fourth.
26:50On Friday night against Oklahoma City,
26:52it was an enormous advantage for the Thunder in both of those stretches.
26:56Zeke Nagy back to getting minutes.
26:58So you're playing Jonas Valanciunas with Nagy,
27:01and it looks like they're in a little zone here.
27:04Highland swishes home a three.
27:06What a first half for Bones Highland.
27:09Ten points.
27:11And they need it.
27:12I mean, it's been a struggle for everybody else on the offensive end.
27:16Just a big lift for Bones.
27:18He had been averaging just three points per game in his last five.
27:21Cam Johnson trying to answer.
27:23Cannot.
27:24But Johnson 0 for 3 from three-point range and no points in this game.
27:30And a traveling violation on Nas Reed.
27:33Slams the ball upset with himself.
27:36Another unforced turnover by Minnesota.
27:38They've had a couple.
27:44Minnesota's won three straight on the road, tying a season high.
27:47Like Denver, they have 22 games left, including today.
27:51Only ten are at home.
27:53They have to still play the Pistons twice.
27:54East Detroit with the best record in the NBA.
27:57Valanciunas tall for the offensive foul.
27:59Bones Highland doesn't like it.
28:00Goes chest-to-chest with Valanciunas.
28:03Gobert comes in.
28:04And Gobert and Valanciunas with their arms around each other in a good-natured way.
28:10And now it subsides.
28:12Boy, we're marching closer to the playoffs because everybody's a little bit testy.
28:17Bones objected to that left high elbow here.
28:22And are they going to look at this?
28:24I believe so.
28:24They're going to go to the monitor to see if they should be upgraded to a flagrant foul.
28:27And then also you have, I don't think they should call anything there, but.
28:31No.
28:32The offensive fouls on Valanciunas is on review to see if it meets the criteria for a flagrant foul.
28:36I mean, let's look at it again.
28:38His elbow comes high.
28:39Does he make contact above the shoulder here?
28:50Yeah.
28:51It's unnecessary physical contact.
28:53It sure is.
28:53Yeah, this could be a flagrant one.
28:55Yeah.
28:57And honestly, the ball handler had clearly cleared.
29:00There's absolutely no reason for Jonas to bring up that left elbow.
29:04Plays over.
29:05You had done your job as a screener.
29:07Bruce was free and clear and had a big in front of him to attack.
29:11And Bones Highland, the guy's got like a foot on you and you go right into his chest.
29:19And then Gobert coming in to play peacemaker, but I'm with you.
29:24It feels like a flagrant foul penalty one.
29:28Two shots in possession for the unnecessary physical contact from Valanciunas after the ball handler was well-cost.
29:37To the face of Highland, elevates the play to a flagrant foul penalty one.
29:41It'll be two free throws for Highland and Minnesota ball.
29:44Free throw line extended with 24 on the shot clock.
29:46Josh Tiffin, veteran official in his 16th year, he's worked 10 NBA Finals games,
29:51along with J.B. DeRosa, Jenna Schroeder, our officiating crew today.
29:56So, Minnesota, with a chance to tie or maybe take the lead on this possession,
30:03they're going to get two free throws and then they'll have the ball.
30:05And Bones Highland is the leading scorer so far for Minnesota with 10 points in just five minutes' play.
30:16Well, they had high hopes here in Denver when Bones Highland was drafted.
30:19He played very well at times that rookie year.
30:23And then in year two, things didn't work out.
30:27He was traded to the Clippers, kind of bounced around a little bit,
30:30but I feel like he can help Minnesota down the stretch.
30:33I agree, Dave, and I feel like we have to remember how young he was when he arrived.
30:38And the first year, he got so much playing time because Jamal Murray was not here.
30:43And then you have to take a major step back.
30:46And for a young man to understand that when you've been productive, not easy.
30:50Not easy.
30:51So, I don't think it ended especially well.
30:54But listen, so much of the NBA is, what's my opportunity?
30:57Do I fit?
31:00Reed.
31:01And for the fight through contact, but can't get the basket.
31:03Still, it's a 9-0 run right now, going back to the first quarter for Minnesota.
31:08Brown penetrates, and that pass was not kicked.
31:11It hit a leg, but it wasn't kicked.
31:13Two-on-one.
31:14DeSumo, one of the top transition players in the league.
31:17He's just outside the top ten,
31:19but they're doing this with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle on the bench.
31:22And these two young guards with a little bit of speed,
31:26Chris Ventus saying,
31:27Wait, I got speed and athleticism at my disposal?
31:30Let me go to work.
31:31Aye, yo.
31:41Oklahoma City at the Garden to face the Knicks.
31:43Milwaukee hosts Atlanta after that.
31:45Coverage starts 6.30 Eastern with NBA Countdown.
31:48Dante DiVincenzo, Bruce Brown are mic'd up today.
31:55What up?
32:02Do the pickup.
32:04Ow!
32:09That round or that round?
32:11Which round?
32:12Hey, split, split, split, back in, back in.
32:17That first win, now we're good.
32:19Now let's step it up.
32:20Come on.
32:21And they have stepped it up since then.
32:23I love that.
32:23The first win, right?
32:25What's the elevation?
32:265,207, like as an opponent coming in here,
32:30they're going to get Highland for a foul on Hardaway.
32:32That first rip and run here in the high altitude,
32:36that's what Dante DiVincenzo was referring to at the end of that.
32:40So that's the second foul on Highland.
32:43Technical foul!
32:44Technical foul!
32:44Denver has not scored yet here in the second quarter.
32:47Bones Highland wanted Chris Finch to review that.
32:50Feels like the players think that coaches must have 15 challenges in a game as much as they ask for
32:56things to be reviewed.
32:57Yeah.
32:57Yeah.
32:58Reviewed.
32:58Yeah.
32:58Early in the second quarter as Hardaway gets the first of three.
33:01Well, you just touched on it.
33:03They hadn't scored Denver until that bucket.
33:05So, Jamal Murray comes back in.
33:08Now, it feels like of late, because remember, Jamal would run the second unit.
33:13He got lifted first in the first quarter.
33:14But it feels like David Adelman maybe is leaning more toward, you know, keeping Murray with Jokic.
33:23And then letting Bruce Brown and Hardaway, they stay together in the second unit.
33:28So, these final 20 games for Denver, when they do get Peyton Watson and Gordon back,
33:35all these rotation things have got to be figured out.
33:39And we are, now that we've turned the page, and it's March 1.
33:43We're a month and a half away from the playoffs.
33:46Desumus, three, way off.
33:47Minnesota, three of 12 from three.
33:49The bench, though, keeping him in the game.
33:51They've got 16 of their 31 points.
33:54Hardaway off the bounce.
33:55Hits from the elbow.
33:56Tim Hardaway, Jr. with his second field goal.
34:00He's just a pro, right?
34:02Count on him.
34:03You know what he's going to bring nightly.
34:08First year with Denver, 13th in the NBA.
34:10He'll be 34 in two weeks.
34:13McDaniels created some space from Hardaway and scores in the lane.
34:16I like the non-whistle.
34:18Are they going to get it to lay again?
34:19Yeah.
34:20That's the first one.
34:21The next one will be a technical.
34:23Eight points for McDaniels.
34:24Watch, watch McDaniels now.
34:26He gets the respect of, say, a shake, Gilgis Alexander.
34:29That left shoulder is an effective tool in basketball, folks, right?
34:34That's a nice-looking move from Jayden.
34:38The Hardaway drills a three-pointer.
34:41He is three for three.
34:43Two of two from behind the arc.
34:45Ten points.
34:46One, two, three.
34:48That is best year shooting the ball.
34:51Career high, 40% from three-point range.
34:54Bones Highland, though, answers with a triple.
34:58He has got that celebration down when he comes back up the floor.
35:03What a lift for Minnesota from Bones.
35:05He's perfect from the field and has 15 points.
35:08Nothing like playing the team that traded you away, Dave Patch.
35:13Now, the same goes for Rudy Gobert.
35:15Remember, he was drafted and traded on draft day.
35:19He wears number 27 because that's where he was picked, 27th overall.
35:24A foul on the other end on Bruce Brown.
35:27What a lift from Bones Highland.
35:28This game changed when the two guards with speed came into the basketball game.
35:32Bones is a step or three beyond that arc.
35:35This is his celebration.
35:37He does – I'm not sure what the next part of this is,
35:39but there's a little flutter with his hands.
35:42What do you think that means, Dave Patch?
35:43I have no idea.
35:46Neither of us could pull that off, I can tell you that right now.
35:49No, definitely not.
35:50Got to make the shot to be able to pull that off.
35:52That's true.
35:55Randall with a kickoff.
35:56DeVincenzo on the spot.
35:58Can't get the three.
35:59Gobert backside board and stick back to tie the game.
36:02Yeah, he's well over three offensive rebounds per game.
36:06Not going to call a lot of plays for him, but that's how you get your own.
36:10You're 13 for Gobert in the NBA.
36:16Murray spins, fires, front rimmed it.
36:18He is one of six from the floor.
36:20Here's Anthony Edwards.
36:22Two baskets, four points in the first quarter.
36:25Jokic still on the bench for Denver, hasn't played yet in a second.
36:29Randall pushes to Gobert.
36:31The floater not there.
36:37Hearing seven minutes to go in the second quarter.
36:40These teams tied for fourth in the West with 23 losses.
36:44Houston is third with 22.
36:47The Lakers are sixth with 24.
36:50And obviously you get in the top four.
36:51You host a first-round playoff series.
36:56And you get in the top six.
36:57You're in the playoffs.
36:58Seven through ten, you're in the play-in.
37:03It seems like both these teams will avoid that,
37:06although Phoenix is only two back of the Lakers right now.
37:11And they're in seven.
37:12But without Dylan Brooks, who's been so good this year,
37:15Booker's been banged up.
37:16You wonder if they can climb out of that seventh spot.
37:18Been a great year, though, for the Suns.
37:20And coach of the year candidate, Jordan Ock.
37:26McDaniels, again, able to create some space
37:28with the off-arm against Murray.
37:30I see a year ago, Chris Finch, like, saw the upside
37:33and said, we need to deliberately put the ball
37:36in McDaniels' hands more often.
37:37And look at how it's paid dividends.
37:39Playing a little bully ball.
37:40Remember, this guy has big-time size and length, athleticism.
37:45He came into the league as a lockdown defender,
37:47but the growth of his offensive game.
37:50You know, Jamal Crawford is so proud of McDaniels.
37:53Two Seattle guys.
37:55He talks about how seriously McDaniels takes the game,
37:59working on his craft.
38:01He said he showed it from the time he was a young, young guy.
38:05Played at Washington and was a late first-round draft pick.
38:09Second-team all-defense a couple years ago.
38:10But you mentioned an improved offensive player.
38:13He's got ten points.
38:14So Jokic back on the floor.
38:16Denver was minus 11 with him on the bench.
38:19Brown way short on the three.
38:21And he didn't have any confidence.
38:23That looked like a guy who did,
38:24it almost looked like a batter with a check swing.
38:26No, I didn't feel like he believed
38:28that was going in for a second, Brown.
38:30Anthony Edwards was shaking his right hand.
38:32He got it banged up.
38:33He was dribbling mostly with his left
38:35as he brought it up the floor.
38:36Randle on the fall away.
38:37It's good for Julius Randle.
38:39His first field goal.
38:41They need him to get going.
38:44Nine straight Minnesota points.
38:46Another tremendous pass,
38:47but an even better recovery.
38:49Randle with the swap.
38:52Edwards will pop and hit a three.
38:54And here come the Wolves.
38:56They've scored 12 in a row,
38:57and they lead by seven.
39:02I love this from Julius Randle.
39:04Right, he gets the fade away to go on one end.
39:06Gets beat, but stays in the play.
39:08That's massive.
39:10Deep corner run by Anthony Edwards,
39:12one of the sweetest shooters in the league.
39:15That same Louisiana spice flavor
39:17y'all love about our chicken?
39:19Yeah, we did that to crispy Alaskan flounder
39:21and butterfly shrimp, too.
39:23Both for $5.99.
39:24The seafood menu is back.
39:26Love that seafood.
39:27ESPN, we got NHL action with Florida
39:29and the New York Islanders.
39:31There's the Kachuk brothers,
39:32part of Olympic gold winning Team USA.
39:36Matthew plays for the Panthers,
39:37who are the two-time defending Stanley Cup champs,
39:40but right now they're on the outside of the playoffs
39:42looking in, so they need that one tonight.
39:44No better way to promote hockey right now
39:46than to use the Olympic gold medal winning performance.
39:50That was an anxiety-provoking gold medal match.
39:55Jokic for three.
39:57In and out, just his second three-point try.
40:01Minnesota's outscoring Denver 23-7 in the quarter.
40:04Minnesota already with more points this quarter
40:07than they had in the entire first.
40:10Bad pass by Edwards.
40:12Good hustle by Randall to keep it alive.
40:16And it will stay with Minnesota.
40:19Seven on the shot clock.
40:21Julius Randall saying,
40:22I am being held.
40:23I'm trying to catch a pocket pass,
40:25and I'm being held.
40:26It's preventing me from making the catch.
40:31Bones Highland, the leading scorer.
40:3215 points, a season high for any half for him.
40:3513 for Jokic, 10 for Hardaway.
40:38Edwards has seven.
40:39He has to put the three up with one on the shot clock,
40:42and it's an air ball.
40:43And a shot clock violation.
40:49Chris Finch can only shake his head.
40:53Not great execution out of a short clock.
40:59Five-minute mark, second quarter.
41:01Cam Johnson looking for his first point to the game.
41:04Now draws Gobert.
41:05And you got Randall on Jokic.
41:07Murray in the lane.
41:09Gets the bounce.
41:10Jamal Murray, second field goal.
41:13You know, Jamal, he's only two for eight.
41:15But he will have a stretch where he gets hot at some point.
41:23McDaniels, who's got ten points,
41:25has a smaller defender on him.
41:27Nice beat inside.
41:29Gobert fouled.
41:31And he will shoot, too.
41:35It's on Cam Johnson.
41:36That is his second personal.
41:39Jamal Murray, again, coming off a little action,
41:41going to his left hand.
41:42So not a strong side.
41:44But watch that navigation through multiple bodies.
41:47Kept his head up.
41:48Eyes on the wrist.
41:49I think they're going to challenge this.
41:51They are.
41:51Yes, David Adelman signaling that this will be a coach's challenge.
41:57Minnesota by 5, 4-36 to play in the half.
42:03Based on Jokic.
42:05Denver's call timeout to challenge.
42:07We're only going to foul on Johnson.
42:08We're all değin' soon.
42:09It's been nice.
42:13I know you're better.
42:17Got some lami México.
42:17BASS!
42:18I love you.이라고
42:29with him Jokic. I'm
42:32sure we'll watch your seat if we don't mind. I mean,
42:35we'll watch you soon. I will listen.
42:35Not until you're
42:35time to miss you soon.
42:48ДИНАМИЧНАЯ МУЗЫКА
43:07It's appropriate that it's not overturned because watch the left hand of Cam Johnson on Rudy Gobert's right arm.
43:14And I don't understand the challenge anyway because Rudy's a 50% free-throw shooter.
43:20And oftentimes it's not close.
43:23So I don't know.
43:24I always err on the side of I want my challenges in the second half.
43:29And it's a 50-50 proposition with Rudy anyway.
43:33It's his lowest free-throw percentage since his rookie season back in 2014.
43:40So now you don't have a challenge for the rest of the game.
43:47And Gobert misses.
43:56Minnesota outscoring Denver 23-9 here in the second quarter.
44:00Denver is the number one offense in the NBA as Gobert goes one of two.
44:04And it all started at the start of the quarter, right?
44:07When you sat Nikola and Jamal together.
44:15Jokic at the foul line.
44:17That's a tough pass to handle.
44:18Knocked out of bounds by Minnesota.
44:2010 to shoot.
44:20You remember what Dante said to Katie in the first quarter interview?
44:24Like, we've got to do a better job staying in front.
44:26And he right there is, you know, practicing what he preached.
44:30Stay in front.
44:31Be alert.
44:32Be active.
44:33Be better in front of the ball.
44:35Minnesota number eight defensively in efficiency this season.
44:39Jokic outside the arc.
44:42Misfire again.
44:43He's 0 for 3.
44:44He still shoots 40% from 3, but he's 6 for his last 26.
44:49Jokic setting the screen.
44:51Murray working with him.
44:52Shot clock at 4.
44:53Pull-up jumper is good for Jamal Murray.
44:55Another set, though, that starts in the middle of the floor with your two best players.
45:01Denver's back within four with four to play in the first half.
45:05Here's Randle.
45:06Just two points coming off a four-point game.
45:08A season low and fewest since 2023 for Randle.
45:13Edwards.
45:14And Gobert was not expecting the lob pass.
45:19Hey, Chris Finch told Edwards to pass in the last game.
45:23And Edwards hit that shot and said, that's why I don't pass.
45:26I don't want him.
45:27I want him to shoot that shot.
45:28First of all, he's got such a beautiful jump shot.
45:30And he was clear.
45:31Jokic with the floater missed it.
45:33By the way, the relationship with Edwards and Finch is outstanding.
45:36They have a great rapport between the two.
45:39Edwards was just having some fun after the game the other day when he said,
45:42that's what I do.
45:43I think there was another word thrown in there when he said that.
45:46Let's hope so.
45:48Randle, not close on the ball away.
45:50And either team can put it in the cup right now.
45:53Now, that's his game.
45:53Like, that fadeaway is on point, and it comes off.
45:56And that's a foul on Randle reaching in.
46:00That's two on him.
46:03Third team foul on Minnesota.
46:07I'll live with that from Julius.
46:09I'll live with that.
46:10Because it's not been a smooth half.
46:13And for Julius, you've got to stay in the game.
46:15And we know you are a terrific offensive player.
46:18If you don't have it going, you've got to continue to play and try to contribute other ways.
46:22I'm living with that foul.
46:25Murray comes and gets it.
46:27DeSumo on him.
46:28Murray trying to get past him.
46:30Entry pass in the high post.
46:32Knocked away by Randle.
46:33Shot clock now at six.
46:34And this is what Julius has to do right now.
46:37Because Nas reads on the floor.
46:38And when they play without Gobert, Julius takes this assignment.
46:44It's a big one.
46:45It's hard.
46:46You've got to stick with it.
46:47Jokic body to body with Randle.
46:49And a little jump hook is good.
46:51And that's your job.
46:52You're giving up size.
46:54Make him shoot over the top.
46:57Minnesota's lead down to two.
47:00Randle.
47:00Short on the three.
47:02One for five and 0 for two for Randle from behind the arc.
47:06Jokic finds Hardaway.
47:08Got caught in the air.
47:09And almost turns it over.
47:10Murray fakes the behind-the-back pass.
47:13Now kicks it out.
47:14Strother fakes it in.
47:16Strother had not scored tonight.
47:18Did not score Friday.
47:20Now he's on the board.
47:21And he ties the game.
47:23So Denver relinquishes the lead.
47:25Their two best players navigate their way back onto the floor.
47:29And just like that, we're locked up again.
47:32Jamal two feet in the paint.
47:34Strother attacking the closeout.
47:35Soft touch.
47:40Not a lot of room for error in terms of missed games.
47:43You have to play 65 to qualify.
47:46And you can make a case for a number of guys on this list.
47:49Shea Gilgis-Alexander is the favorite right now.
47:51He won it last year.
47:53Right.
47:53And Nikola Jokic, prior to that knee injury, I would say that was more neck-and-neck of a race.
47:59To me, you know, there's a difference between Shea and Nikola and then the rest of the guys.
48:05Not that much separation, but certainly some.
48:07As Nikola, another turnover here.
48:09Katie George, you can add on this MVP race.
48:12Yeah, Doris, David Adelman told us a bit ago that, you know, Jokic wants to play because we're in a
48:16dogfight to stay in the top six right now in the West.
48:19He said that's the bottom line.
48:20Can we get ourselves fully healthy and get into the playoffs as a top four seed for home court advantage?
48:25Adelman said he doesn't think Jokic is chasing MVP.
48:27If it happened, obviously, it would be historic.
48:30But he's playing right now because they're just trying to hold on to their seeding.
48:33Yeah, only five players have won four MVP awards as Randall is fouled and will go to the line as
48:38Minnesota retook the lead on the last possession on Anthony Edwards' ninth point.
48:44Foul on Strother is his second.
48:48And team foul number four.
48:50By the way, the five players with four MVP awards, Michael Jordan, Will Chamberlain, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and
48:56Bill Russell.
48:57Wow.
48:57Be an incredible group to join.
48:59I mean, I believe he's going to win another one, but before it's all said and done, I truly do.
49:05And it might be this year.
49:0731 years of age.
49:09In his 11th season, Randall misses the first free throw.
49:12Our upcoming national TV schedule, we got a great game tonight between Philly and Boston.
49:18The Celtics' second-best record in the East.
49:21And then Monday on Peacock, the Clippers and the Warriors.
49:24For more, go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
49:27And we had Denver a couple weeks ago, Malika Andrews was talking to Nikola at the All-Star break.
49:34And he told her, I don't know where this idea that I don't love the game of basketball, like, I
49:39intend to play as long as my body holds up.
49:43Like, this idea is going to retire early.
49:45That's not happening.
49:4790 seconds to go in the half.
49:49Jokic on the drive to the corner and Strother.
49:53Strother penetrates.
49:54Missed the shot.
49:55Two nuggets collide, so it's a five-on-three.
49:59And the three-pointer by Dasumu.
50:03He's been a nice addition, right?
50:05They needed some speed, some athleticism.
50:11Brown downhill and grabbed by Reed.
50:14He'll shoot two.
50:15Look at Chris Finch's face.
50:17I mean, that's frustrating as a coach, right?
50:19You had a numbered break on the other side, so you get a good look at three.
50:22And then, you know, you allow Christian Brown off a make when you should be back and set defensively to
50:30go right down the middle of the zone.
50:31Like, that's—this is the frustrating part for me with Minnesota, is the inconsistency overall, Dave, but also, you know, in
50:40the middle of a game.
50:41Yes, he gets the corner turn, but you got Julius standing.
50:44Nas is not in great position.
50:46And you give up a couple free throws.
50:48If you're Chris Finch, that's just maddening.
50:52They do have the ability to turn it on.
50:54And you look at them, they have ten wins.
50:57Ten of their 37 wins have come when they trailed after three quarters.
51:00That is tied for the most in the NBA.
51:03And last year, they won only 49 games.
51:05I say only because they had the same team and won around 55 the previous year as Randall scorches the
51:11net on a three ball.
51:16They were a sixth seed last year and made it to the conference finals.
51:21These teams have met in the playoffs two of the last three years.
51:27Hardaway leans in.
51:28He was hit by McDaniels.
51:31They're going to say not in the act of shooting, but it doesn't matter.
51:35Penalty situations are two free throws for Hardaway with McDaniels picking up his second foul.
51:52Coming up, it is halftime presented by Tremfaya.
51:55Ernie, Shaq, Charles, and...
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