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Lineage 2 King
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00:00From Minneapolis and the most talked about first round series of the NBA playoffs a series that has featured 23
00:07lead changes the most of any first round series with three of the top 12 scores in the league on
00:14display the Timberwolves won game two on the road led by Anthony Edwards and his 30 point performance but it's
00:24been the defense of Rudy Gobert on three time MVP
00:29Nikola Jokic that has caught everyone's attention the series is tied the Nuggets on the road for the first time
00:37setting up a terrific game three
00:48Welcome to NBA on prime tip-off the three seed Denver Nuggets and the six seed Minnesota Timberwolves have played
00:58each other
00:58more than any two teams in the NBA over the last four years 30 times and right now it's 15
01:06wins and 15 wins it's been dead even
01:15it is great to have you with us tonight from the Twin Cities Kevin Harlan two Hall of Famers by
01:21my side
01:21Candice Parker Dwayne Wade and we'll check in with our sideline reporter Ali Clifton in just a moment well the
01:28big news and it dropped about four hours ago the Nuggets will be without one of their main pieces Alex
01:34Gordon
01:35Aaron Gordon excuse me yes Aaron Gordon is normally the headlines but he is the balance of this team he
01:42does all the little things that let stars be stars he's the most versatile he's the most physical and the
01:48energy that he plays with Candice is contagious
01:50yes the energy plays with is contagious but this team is accustomed to playing without Aaron Gordon this year they
01:56played 46 games as a result of injury so I look for Cam Johnson I look for Spencer to step
02:02up but I also look for Coach Adelman and his adjustments are going to be key
02:05and Aaron Gordon has had all kinds of injuries all season this is a calf injury we'll get more into
02:11it as the game goes on all right we're tied at one apiece what got us here Candice
02:15well what got us here was the paint for the Timberwolves the Timberwolves dominating game two 52 to 40 in
02:22the paint and a lot of that had to do with Anthony Edwards his ability to draw to get to
02:27the paint and find others Anthony Edwards was 11 of 16 69 percent in this series in the paint in
02:35all other places outside the paint 6 of 28
02:37and attack attack attack listen when you see in the half court that everyone's loaded up when you see somebody
02:42on their back heels you have to attack them
02:45and right here Nas Reed we know he can shoot the basketball but we need him downhill and making plays
02:50for everyone else
02:51well I mentioned the two centers and clearly they have been the focus of both teams they've been truly the
02:57centers of attention
02:58yes the centers of attention we understand this is a guards world but the centers are moving the ball and
03:02moving the needle in this series Jokic can wake up out of bed and get a triple double
03:07but it's how he's doing it it's the efficiency at which he's doing it obviously Rudy Gobert is making it
03:11tough
03:12but Jokic is at his best when he's out in transition getting others involved and then he has a little
03:17gas in the tank to finish it and close it out in the fourth
03:20only four fourth course quarter fourth quarter points in the fourth last game and Rudy he may not be defensive
03:27player of the year but for this team he is and in this series he understands his job
03:33it's not about stopping Jokic it's about pushing him out further and limiting him he's done a great job sitting
03:38on that top shoulder taking away middle staying disciplined
03:41no reaching no fouling and no extra stuff and moments ago Ali Clifton with Rudy
03:51thanks much Dwayne Rudy you've had your hands full with your matchup inside with Nikola Jokic can you take us
03:56inside your mindset what's allowed you to be so effective early in the series
03:59I just try to make it work you know it's the greatest offensive center in the world and it's a
04:06challenge for me every night and I try to embrace it and enjoy it
04:09and here we are now a pivotal game three obviously with momentum on your side how do you use this
04:14crowd to your advantage
04:16just gotta compete you know just gotta be in the moment play together and uh and be who we are
04:22really appreciate the time thank you he's a four-time defensive player of the year
04:28Jokic a three-time MVP the Denver Nuggets the Minnesota Timberwolves this is the NBA on Prime
04:54welcome back to the twin cities for the Nuggets and the Timberwolves and game three in this best of
05:02seven first round series so we talked about Aaron Gordon being out and that means that Spencer Jones
05:10will again start he started for him during the regular season when Gordon was out so there's not a lot
05:16of
05:16change there but clearly with that it depletes the bench a little bit of Denver so let's talk about
05:22the players that off the bench have made a move and let's begin with Dante DiVincenzo who starts
05:28but he's made his living off the bench and sparking the team well Dante is one of those players that
05:34you
05:34just love to play with he makes sure that he extends plays for his team he's always in the right
05:39place
05:40he's a guy that you know is gonna fight gonna battle right here just battling over the screen on Jamal
05:45Murray
05:46making it tough on him you can't stop him but you can make it tough on him and right here
05:49we know
05:50he takes big shots and he makes big shots Candace and Dante DiVincenzo is true to this not new to
05:55this
05:56he's been doing this since his Nova days he steps up yes 17 points you know and a big game
06:02to win
06:03but it's the other things that he does the rebounds the assists and the gritty plays he's a gritty player
06:09for
06:09the Timberwolves they'll be counting on him tonight as they face the Denver Nuggets on Prime
06:20getting ready for a tip-off game three of the Nuggets and Timberwolves Taylor Rooks with Dirk
06:24Novitski Steve Nash Blake Griffin and Udonis Haslam Jaden McDaniels he called out the Nuggets
06:30defenders said they were all bad defenders not saying he was completely right but I do want to
06:36know how concerned Denver should be on that end of the floor BG well anytime you lose a playoff game
06:41there should be a level of concern right but there's you can't overreact right Denver has
06:46had a really good defense they have good defensive players they just need to get back to that and they
06:51didn't they didn't show their best defense especially down the stretch but in 109 defensive
06:56rating Minnesota has 112 this series so the world is not ending but it is time to sharpen up focus
07:03now losing Aaron Gordon you have to be better as a team defensively so getting to the right spots
07:08and just sticking with a game plan is important they absolutely have to be better defensively they
07:13can be better but it is a tall order without Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson not only two guys
07:18that can space the floor make plays offensively athletes you know we're talking about a Minnesota
07:23team that's athletic it gives them depth athleticism defense and floor spacers playmakers
07:27Jokic has got to be unbelievable tonight yeah I wonder if they mix it up a little bit more maybe
07:32throwing some zone throwing some different pick and roll coverages because it feels like trying
07:37the same doesn't work they're getting attacked and they don't have anybody that can protect the
07:41paint or protect the basket so I wonder if they switch it up a little bit and play some zone
07:45they
07:45played a lot of zone in the regular season so we'll see if they go to that tool I'm taking
07:49it
07:49personal I'm taking it personal I'm shopping in my soil you got to have some pride I understand
07:54everybody's not a great defender but if you call me and my teammates on you personally say my name
07:57oh we're going I'm looking for every matchup I can you know what I'm saying I'm taking those
08:03matches personal and the guys that can't guard they said your name you better be able to guard
08:06today because you know they're coming at you so I'm shopping in my soil I'm looking forward
08:09to this matchup if you call me out defensive all right let's see if they take it personal tip
08:13off is just ahead from Minnesota game three of the Nuggets and the Timberwolves we will use you
08:17out to the game right after this
08:25I am the noise
08:27it is playoff time the noise is deafening
08:30I can be the enemy or your friend
08:33put some respect on his name
08:34oh my goodness
08:36that can be the explanation
08:37what is your mindset
08:38when you try to score
08:39do you have a plan
08:40do you run from or run to
08:44Nuggets
08:46Timberwolves
08:46game three
08:47what a sequence
08:49he got up
08:52be the noise
09:02welcome to the NBA playoffs presented by Google with first round coverage on Prime presented by Lilley
09:11the Timber Nuggets at number three the Timberwolves at number six but a big change in the Nuggets lineup Aaron
09:19Gordon is out he's coming off an eight point game in game three
09:23two he's been single figure scoring three of the last four so he has clearly not been a hundred percent
09:30we know he's missed a ton of games this year he's going to miss tonight with a calf injury and
09:36that means that Spencer Jones a second year player out of Stanford will take his place
09:44Jamal Murray
09:45Jamal Murray is a player that we're all watching as well as he has come up with two consecutive 30
09:51-point games for the Denver Nuggets
09:55now the Minnesota Timberwolves
09:58who won game two by five
10:00they trailed in that one by as many as 19
10:03the Vincenzo again starting in that backcourt
10:07Randle played a much better game two than game one
10:12well Randle came out very early and was aggressive
10:15they need him to make sure that that paint
10:18is open because if he's putting his head down
10:21if he's down there playing with physicality candidates
10:23he's down there playing with power
10:24then that allows for them to understand what kind of game we're going to play
10:27and Coach Fitch before the game
10:29talked to us about the importance of Nas Reed
10:32and Julius Randle setting the tone in terms of physicality
10:36Randle doing just that in that first half
10:38so you've seen the two coaches there's David Adelman
10:41first full season with the Nuggets
10:43Chris Finch moments ago
10:45in his sixth season as the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves
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14:01DeVincenzo, what a terrific game two, he had 16, Randle had it poked away, shot clock down to four, step
14:09back, three over Jones, rebound, Goebel, out to DeVincenzo, three over Brown, rebound, McDaniels.
14:20And McDaniels making his presence known, his physicality, because that's what, when you're going to put two on the ball
14:27with Anthony Edwards, you're susceptible on the backside on offensive rebounds, that's how the Timberwolves won game two, they had
14:35a 20-3 advantage on the offensive boards, right here, good contest, McDaniels cleans up the backside, because Denver, they
14:43want to get out and run, but there's a balance of securing the rebound.
14:46And McDaniels just picked up his first personal foul.
14:49Well, you talk about Aaron Gordon, no Aaron Gordon, you miss his physicality right there, when you see them getting
14:54extra possessions, just kind of manning the glass, that's Aaron Gordon's territory.
14:59Jokic's missing out another three, Jokic has started all five, Edwards the other way.
15:06Dan Johnson now, he'll be playing the four tonight, with the injury to Aaron Gordon, it's McDaniels on the wing,
15:13the defense by Murray, the shot clock at seven.
15:16Edwards, it's a three, tipping by Gobert, and it's picked up by Cam Johnson.
15:24I think Denver's doing a great job of making Minnesota settle for outside shots, they have to finish it, like
15:30we talked about, 20-3 on second chance points, they have to finish the play with rebounding.
15:44And I must say, Kevin, Jokic had his way against Rudy Gobert coming into this season, averaging 35.8, 15
15:54rebounds, and 11.3 assists.
15:56This series has not fared in that direction, as Murray puts one home, but Jokic aggressive early, which we're used
16:03to him facilitating a little bit.
16:05He's calling his own number.
16:07Maybe they felt like they just had to get him going early to shake off what happened in game two,
16:13especially in the fourth, Edwards a shot from 14.
16:16Well, going back to Jokic, when you're on the road, Kevin, you want to make sure you come out as
16:21a star player to establish with your team how are we supposed to play this game.
16:25And so Jokic's taking it upon himself to establish aggression very early on.
16:29It just hasn't resulted in any buckets.
16:32Jokic in that fourth, it's been two, one of five, primarily defended by Gobert, steering his way for the shot.
16:39Edwards got the block on the shot by Murray, but a foul call.
16:47It'll be number one on Anthony Edwards.
16:54And Chris Finch wants to take a look at it with a challenge.
16:58The defense appeared to be there with his knockaway.
17:02Well, Anthony Edwards right here, got his hand a little bit on the body, but making plays.
17:07Like he said, if it goes to the basket, you know what he's going to do with it.
17:14Welcome back to the Twin Cities and the NBA on Prime.
17:20Welcome courtside.
17:21Kevin Harlan, Candace Parker, Dwayne Wade, Allie Clifton will join us in just a second.
17:26So in the last two quarters, Nikola Jokic has gone one of 13 for two points, including the fourth in
17:35game two and the start here.
17:36In this entire series, he's three of 17 from the three-point line, starting this game off zero for three.
17:42Jokic, sometimes as a key player, you've got to work your way in the game.
17:47You've got to take the shots that you know you can make, and you have a lot of pressure on
17:51you to get your other guys involved if your name is Jokic.
17:54The successful challenge attempt by Minnesota, unsuccessful.
17:59They thought they had the call.
18:00It goes against Edwards, who picks up his first foul.
18:04You just saw Aaron Gordon on the sideline, not playing tonight, half-strain.
18:10They got the word about four o'clock in a text message to Dave Hedlman.
18:14There is DiVincenzo.
18:16It's a three.
18:18Well, DiVincenzo, once he started the game making shots, we all know that it becomes an ocean for him.
18:23But this guy right here, he's the engine of this team.
18:26When he's making shots, when he's doing the little things, they just seem to get out of it.
18:30Brown triple.
18:32Rebound inside Edwards.
18:34And those are the two, DiVincenzo and Brown, that have kind of X'd each other out.
18:39Brown had himself a game in game one, and game two has been dependable.
18:44Look at Goldberg, muscling his way inside.
18:47Kicks it back out.
18:48Here comes Randle, coming off the good game two.
18:51For those of you just joining us, McDaniels 3-0.
18:54Murray the rebound.
18:58Well, going back to Dante, man, and you hear it from his own teammates, Jamal Murray, shoots his shot.
19:03He's a winning player.
19:04You know, they know that this guy will make winning plays.
19:07He's vocal as well in his hustle, and he keeps his team together.
19:10So, it's great to see him getting the shot started early.
19:13Great throw by Randle.
19:14McCuddy McDaniels.
19:15Great defense by Denver, meeting him inside.
19:18And now it's Brown.
19:21That's off the foot.
19:22Ricochets away.
19:23Off the Wolves.
19:24Shot clock at 17.
19:32So, Murray has started one of two.
19:34Jokic has started 0 of 6.
19:36The Nuggets have started as a team 1 of 9.
19:40Minnesota, 4 of 14.
19:43And these are just two teams that know each other so well, Kevin.
19:46Honestly, these two teams have played 31.
19:49This is their 31st time playing in the last four seasons.
19:52So, these guys know each other's tendencies.
19:54And then each 1, 15, Murray working inside on DiVincenzo.
19:58Knocked away by numbers with the block.
20:00DiVincenzo on the side, McDaniels.
20:04In stride, Randle.
20:06Scoops, no.
20:07Rebound collected by the Nuggets.
20:09Neither team shooting well to start.
20:11Brown, full steam ahead.
20:20And this game early is favoring Timberwolves in the style that they're playing.
20:24They want physical.
20:25They want grinding.
20:27They want to take the ball and have this game decided in the paint.
20:30What a pass.
20:31Gobert looked right.
20:32He threw left.
20:33And he does run there on the cut.
20:35Rudy is in his bag.
20:37It's the Euro no-look pass.
20:39But Rudy getting the ball in the middle.
20:41He has become a better decision-making maker in the middle on the floor,
20:45which allows his team to trust him to make those plays.
20:47Denver 1 of 11.
20:49Murray Jones, who's taken the place of Aaron Gordon.
20:52Bubbles it.
20:53Fumbles it.
20:54A Nugget turnover.
20:56I think Rudy is kind of mad that he didn't get defensive player of the year this year.
20:59He's really out to show how important he is for the team.
21:02And right here, Euro step.
21:03The no-look.
21:04He never turned around.
21:05The confidence that this team is putting into Rudy, it shows.
21:09Not the no-look run down the court before Randall slams the ball.
21:15Oh, goodness.
21:16Cam Johnson is checked out.
21:17Hardaway is checked in for the Nuggets.
21:20Dasumu and Naz Reed have come in for Minnesota.
21:23And Dasumu, honestly, this is his first playoff series since Chicago.
21:27So Coach Vince said he looks to see him kind of get more aggressive as the games progress.
21:33Edwards dancing on Brown.
21:35Fulled and looks fouled.
21:38And the block was winding down with four and a half seconds on it.
21:42First quarter clock at 5-12.
21:45And that right there, as Edwards is pleading that he was on his way up and wants to go to
21:51the free throw line,
21:52that is, in most times, a settled left step-back jump shot.
21:57But because Anthony Edwards knows that his ability to put pressure on the Nuggets defense by getting in the paint,
22:03good things happen.
22:04You know, Coach Vince talked about his team in game two, starting off, maybe selling him, selling him,
22:09taking too many jump shots tonight.
22:11They're kind of mixing it in.
22:12They forced a few, but they have been on the attack, and he was led by this guy right here.
22:16Spencer Jones picked up the foul.
22:18Off that baseline, driving is McDaniels.
22:22It's a 7-0 run for Minnesota.
22:25And Edwards' decision-making out of two is going to be crucial for this series.
22:30So far, so good.
22:32Jokic, driving on Gobert.
22:35And he finally gets one to drop.
22:38One of seven starts for the three-time, heavily decorated, Nikola Jokic.
22:43Eighth-leading score in the league.
22:45Number one in rebounding.
22:46Number one in assists.
22:48Dosumu up top.
22:50He and DiVincenzo have been terrific in the backcourt tonight, and in this series,
22:56here is Edwards, working on Brown.
22:59The Daniels down the lane.
23:04Constant pressure on the rim, Cammy.
23:06They're not settling for outside shots every day.
23:09They're catching goal.
23:09Once they get Denver into rotation, this is what Jake McDaniels was talking about.
23:14They're not a great defensive team.
23:15Once they're in rotation, and they're out of place.
23:17It's their position, defensive team.
23:19Cam Johnson comes back off the bench after starting.
23:22Misses the three.
23:23Dosumu with another deer.
23:25Gets him down court in a hurry.
23:28Edwards has started one of four.
23:31Muriano here.
23:32A three.
23:34With a Hardaway rebound.
23:35Hardaway coming off an ice 16-point game in game two.
23:41Jokic screen.
23:42Murray drives.
23:43There's a whistle.
23:44There's a foul.
23:45And number two on in.
23:47I don't know about that one.
23:51I do not know about this.
23:54These are playoffs right here.
23:56This is the playoffs, Dwayne.
24:00Can you imagine how many points you get if you get those calls right there?
24:04And listen, I get some points right now if I get those calls right there.
24:07Edwards is out.
24:08Bones Highland has come in.
24:11A former Nugget.
24:12And Bones Highland, in game two, played extremely well.
24:15Yes, he did.
24:15Just ten minutes of action came in.
24:17Knocked down some threes.
24:18Played good defense.
24:19So, let's see what his impact will be with their star on the bench with two fouls.
24:24Cam Johnson way off.
24:25Dosumu the other way.
24:26Smoking his way inside.
24:30Timeout tender.
24:34The Nuggets have started 2 of 14.
24:36The Minnesota lead 18-6 on prime.
24:45Welcome back to Minnesota Nuggets.
24:46T-Wolves here in the first quarter.
24:48It may only be game three between these two squads, but the motivation is at an all-time high.
24:52For most players, they draw the motivation between the lines.
24:55But for star Anthony Edwards, he's got a little motivation from one of our Hall of Famers in the booth.
25:03I'm just trying to, like, I just be watching Dwayne Wade clips.
25:07He would be at the rim.
25:09So, I just be trying to beat at the rim.
25:10That's all.
25:11Like, people come in the rim and Rudy ain't down there.
25:14I'm trying to beat that.
25:15I don't care who it is.
25:16So, you come down there and you see fever down there.
25:19I'm going up.
25:19So, you're not thinking about it.
25:20I don't give a damn.
25:21I'm trying to beat that.
25:26I like that.
25:28Yeah, man.
25:29Same animal, different beast.
25:31Hey, I like it.
25:32Same animal, different beast, man.
25:33I love that.
25:34Shout out to Ant-Man.
25:35And that's what we do, Ken, is us smaller guards.
25:37We meet people up top.
25:39Us smaller guards?
25:40That's crazy.
25:40Yeah, us smaller guards, man.
25:41We meet people up top.
25:42But I love Ant's game, man.
25:44I'm a big fan of Ant-Man.
25:46Please, Ant, stay who you are through this all.
25:48But he's representing for 6'4", 6'5", guards.
25:52Well, he looked a lot taller than 6'4".
25:53Bro, don't do that.
25:54Don't do that.
25:54Because you were looking up at Ant Edwards.
25:56I'm just saying.
25:58The Timberwolves on an 11-2 run.
26:01Bruce Brown is in.
26:03Strother's in for the first time in the series.
26:05Hardaway with a 3.
26:07And Bones Highland in for Edwards.
26:10He's got two fouls.
26:12Gets the rebound.
26:13Dosumu down low.
26:14And a lot of white jerseys fencing him off.
26:17Nas Reed, former 6'9 award winner.
26:21Missed it all.
26:22Strother up up.
26:25And DiVincenzo couldn't get his footing.
26:27It's going to be Denver's ball.
26:29Denver led the NBA Dwayne in scoring this season.
26:34And they're one of the best road-scoring teams in recent memory in the league.
26:38And they've only got six points to start this one.
26:40Well, I think they, let's say they're doing it on purpose because whoever wins the first quarter has lost the
26:46game.
26:47But right now, Denver needs some of the road players to bring their game here on the road right now.
26:52They need someone to start making shots.
26:54And especially without Aaron Gordon, who normally is getting to the free-to-line attacking down low.
27:20And right here, the Timberwolves, one for nine from beyond the arc.
27:27It's just that the Nuggets can't find their rhythm either.
27:31They're zero of eight.
27:32So right here, the Timberwolves on this possession need to get into the paint.
27:56I like the effort that Minnesota is putting out here.
27:59They're like, obviously, on this end of the floor, they're not making all these shots.
28:01But on the defensive end of the floor, they're just flying around.
28:04They're making their shots a little tough.
28:07They're not allowing hand down, man down.
28:09Them guys are actually making sure that they make it.
28:11And Rudy get the end run.
28:13And he got a cut by Jokic.
28:15It did not phase him at all.
28:16And must I say, Rudy Gobert is having one of the best series that we have seen this Frenchman play.
28:25Operating off of pick and roll.
28:27Not expecting it, but finishing at the rim.
28:30He's been active on both ends of the floor because his activity, getting out of pick and rolls,
28:37really opens up things for guys to be able to attack closeouts.
28:40He might look at his wine in game two, D-Wade.
28:43And it was 2.7 boards, two steals.
28:46But what he did defensively change the game.
28:49Yeah, he's been doing an amazing job of, you can't stop Jokic at all.
28:53But he has done an incredible job of just pushing Jokic out a little farther.
28:57Staying really disciplined to the game plan.
28:59Not picking up those cheap, small fouls on Jokic.
29:02Oh!
29:03And a foul inside.
29:05As Jokic missed the first, Jokic is one of eight.
29:10And the foul is on Nas Reed, the Minnesota number one.
29:16And this is the hardest thing about defending Jokic, right?
29:20Rudy Gobert is a shot blocker.
29:22You're going to be out of position for the offensive rebound for Jokic.
29:25His teammates have to come over Nas Reed getting the foul.
29:29So Jokic at the line, top three MVP for six straight years.
29:35He's been in the voting.
29:36He's won three times.
29:37He's been in the top couple for six straight years.
29:42Eight straight seasons of either first or second team All-NBA.
29:48Historic figure.
29:49Mentioned before, top ten scoring, number one rebounder, number one assist.
29:54The last center that was number one in rebounds and assists in a season, 1968, Wilt Chamberlain.
30:02And any time you're in a conversation with Wilt, which it just seems like any record that's being broken, Wilt's
30:07the Wilt.
30:09I just love the trust that I'm watching out of the Minnesota Timberwolves when it comes to Rudy.
30:15You know, a lot of times you see Rudy on the floor, whether offensively or defensively, people are on him.
30:19And now you look at a team that is really in a trust space with Rudy, and he's doing all
30:24the things to keep them there.
30:26All-NBA couldn't get it.
30:27Reed gets the loose ball.
30:30It's Dosumo and Hyland and DiVincenzo.
30:35Stronger's on him.
30:36DiVincenzo.
30:37What a pass by Copé.
30:39What a pass.
30:40They have had so much success in the quarter action.
30:47As Denver wants to get up and go fast, but this is a situation where Minnesota is imposing their will
30:55on the Nuggets.
30:56But they're dominating without separating.
30:59You're telling me the Denver Nuggets have 11 points in the first quarter, and you're only down by 12.
31:06I cannot believe the number one scoring team in the NBA with 11 points.
31:12An amazing number.
31:14Dosumo tries.
31:19You can tell each game that Dosuno is getting more comfortable with his role on this team.
31:24His first time here in this kind of environment.
31:26And it's a lot of trust as Jokic throws it away.
31:35Denver four turnovers.
31:39Good if it goes from DiVincenzo.
31:42Denver's 11 points matches a season low for any quarter.
31:48There were three of 21.
31:51Minnesota on top at the end of one.
31:54You're watching first round coverage on prime presented by Lilly.
32:01Rocking Minneapolis.
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32:18When you look at the statistics, it's almost like a typo.
32:22Denver, number one scoring team, number one offense, three of 21 first quarter.
32:28And Jokic with a slow start.
32:32One of eight.
32:33Murray back in.
32:34Brown back there with him.
32:37No Aaron Gordon tonight with a calf strain.
32:41That's a long shot by Murray.
32:43A rebound try inside by Jones.
32:45And retrieved by Hyland.
32:48Edwards back out there with two fouls.
32:51Working on Spother.
33:01Absolutely nothing you can do when number five decides to put his head down and drive.
33:08There's nothing you can do with this right here.
33:11Anthony Edwards getting to the paint.
33:14Using his athleticism.
33:15Putting pressure on the Nuggets defense.
33:19This is the game plan, D-Way.
33:20This is how they win.
33:21This is how they win.
33:22And I love, you know, Anthony Edwards being patient.
33:25Understanding where his success is going to come from.
33:28But once he get to the basket, you see he does that slow step.
33:31Which throws the defense off.
33:32He's not exploding where you can take a charge on him.
33:34He's doing that slow step that throws the defense off that.
33:37So, Minnesota is plus 18 points in the lane.
33:43Both Candace and Dwayne talked about that.
33:46Minnesota is plus 7 points off turnovers.
33:49Look at the defense here.
33:50Edwards on Murray.
33:52Tippin's wide.
33:52Knocked away.
33:54It hit the rim.
33:55New shot clock.
33:56Murray faking the free in to Reed down low.
33:59And they go for the Christian and Eternity.
34:03Najee who puts it up and ends.
34:05As Zeke is in for the first time tonight.
34:08And Najee gives the Nuggets a little bit more size, a little bit more physicality against Randall at that forward
34:16position.
34:16But with Aaron Gordon being out now, we've seen two players who didn't play in the first two games.
34:21Zeke Najee, those are three from Edwards.
34:25Brown's got it.
34:27A little flat on that three.
34:28But this is what we love about Anthony Edwards right here.
34:30He's up taking the challenge.
34:32You're talking about a guy that has two fouls in his game.
34:34He's getting over every screen, trying to put his chest in front.
34:37He's taking the challenge.
34:38That's what we love about Anthony Edwards.
34:55And then you get a catch-and-shoot three on the back side.
35:00Najee, five to five with a foul called as Reed took it.
35:10We're not telling Minnesota not to take threes.
35:13It's the quality of threes you take.
35:15The ball touches the paint.
35:16This is a practice shot that you do from the time you're younger.
35:19The ball sprays out, and it's a rhythm three for Najee.
35:23Correct, Candace.
35:24Like you talked about, when Minnesota's dancing around the three-point line and they're not penetrating,
35:29their shot quality is not the same.
35:30When they're touching that paint, making sure that Denver has to bring their defense in,
35:36now those shots are open.
35:37Now those clothes out are different.
35:38You can drive those clothes out.
35:40You have those shots.
35:41And so that's the offense that is successful for Minnesota,
35:44and that's what we want to see them continue to get through throughout the series.
35:47Lee Najee, 77% free-throw shooter.
35:51Him and Strother didn't play the first two games.
35:54And again with Gordon out, they've had to go deeper in the bench.
35:57It's messed up some of the cohesion there.
36:00Spencer Jones got the start tonight.
36:03The Sunday-year player from Stanford.
36:05Here comes Randall Schaefer.
36:06And a foul on Denver.
36:09And you're not going to replace Aaron Gordon with one player.
36:13You're going to have to do it by committee.
36:15Because what Aaron Gordon does, he brings physicality on the defensive end.
36:19But he also is able to play off of Joker and Murray on the offensive end.
36:24So he is an offense creator.
36:26You don't have to run plays for him.
36:28Randall with the stripe.
36:29All right, Zeke Najee picks up his first personal foul.
36:34And Randall, 78% free-throw shooters.
36:39We take a look at the upcoming playoff schedule.
36:42Prime tomorrow, Boston at Philly, Lakers in Houston, San Antonio in Portland.
36:46More on these games, go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
36:52Randall had a 24-point, nine-rebound, six-assist game after just 16 in game one.
37:00With all the concentration on Edwards, if Randall steps up, Minnesota is fairly difficult to beat.
37:06And Randall, he is that guy that can put so much pressure on your defense.
37:10He's somebody who gets forgotten about.
37:12And when he's selling it for threes, he's not as great.
37:14But when he's putting that shoulder in, he's going downhill.
37:17He's fouled.
37:41He's fouled.
37:42He's fouled that earlier on in Anthony Edwards' foul on Jamal Murray.
37:46So for the rest of the game, Coach Finch and his staff is not going to have an ability to
37:51challenge.
37:51Let's see him.
37:54Brown at the line.
37:58Raiders out.
38:00Dos Simer is back in the game.
38:04And Strockers got it.
38:05Murray on the move.
38:07In the high end, in the corner.
38:08Najee, three.
38:11And right there, Randall coming all the way in off the corner.
38:15They say they don't help it off the corner, but Najee missed some pain.
38:19You saw Murray coming downhill.
38:22And his first initial reaction was just to protect the pain.
38:25But that's what Denver needs.
38:27They need a little bit more penetration by Murray to get in there, get these shooters a chance to shoot
38:32a shot without so much contest.
38:33Dead one.
38:35Three won't go.
38:36Strockers corrals it.
38:38And Denver on the move.
38:40The collision under Randall.
38:41And the foul on Julius.
38:45Well, right here, Jamal Murray on the last play.
38:49Obviously, it gets downhill.
38:50Brings three guys and finds its teammates.
38:53If you're going to win this game on the road, Candace, you're going to need someone to step up, make
38:57outside shots.
38:57You have to breathe confidence into the other guys.
39:00And that right there was a problem.
39:02Giving up your shot on yourself for someone else to get a better look.
39:05And you're putting pressure on Minnesota's defense.
39:07And Julius Randall having to pick because they understood in game one, Jamal Murray's time where he really scored a
39:14lot of his 30 points was during this early second quarter run without Jokic.
39:18This is Walker on the doorstep.
39:20Couldn't get it.
39:21Jivincenzo is coming for Bones Island.
39:25Randall, they were very concerned with Aaron Gordon being out.
39:29What about Randall?
39:30Jivincenzo.
39:31The fake.
39:31The three.
39:32No.
39:33Now he's a rebound.
39:35Murray with the ball.
39:37Murray one of five.
39:40Edwards right there.
39:41One, two, back.
39:42And this is Murray time right here.
39:44This is what Murray likes to do.
39:47Make runs all by himself.
39:50Credit, Clive, scores!
39:52Nice play, Dosumu.
39:54And that starts the 6-0, Denver Hall.
39:57I think Minnesota understands as well.
39:59As you look out on their floor, there's no rim protector out there for Denver.
40:02So they're putting their head down there, making Denver have to make a decision on what they're going to do.
40:06And right now, they're making outside shots and they're scoring in the bank.
40:10And they're getting out of transition.
40:21Minnesota's lead is at 14 points.
40:25It's been as big as 17.
40:27Turnovers for Denver.
40:28Minnesota catching it at the other end.
40:38Weather held for the drone.
40:40let's take a look at the live update presented by fanduel you see the numbers right there
40:44and moments ago wolves coast chris finch
40:51don't get static you got to move and cut hey let's go let's get a little bit more movement
40:56in our stuff okay early stop moving let's go we're good come on now let's go
41:02timberwolves have 10 assists and just one turnover so far
41:07yeah the timberwolves making good decisions with the ball not allowing the nuggets to get any
41:12looks in transition off of bad shots or live ball turnovers murray over gobert yokich is back in
41:20wolves have got the ball edwards and do schumer i know murray got to his spot to the right side
41:27of
41:27the floor but just watching jayden mcdaniels how he got skinny over that screen making sure that
41:33yoke is couldn't spin and yoke is one of the best screeners in our league and making it tough on
41:37murray he's got 11 quick points from minnesota and five of seven from the field hanging around
41:45steven jenzo knocked it away numbers ever dropped the win and jim hardaway off the bench would have been
41:51the three minnesota's got their biggest lead tonight and you just knew that one was gonna go
41:59sometimes when you're coming off an injury you need an adjustment right your legs are a little
42:04short anthony edward's made that big hit for yokich from outside it's a three for nicola
42:10and that right there is why they picked up io he pushes tempo off of a main basket is able
42:21to beat the
42:22nuggets whole defense down the court right here putting pressure on the defense has minnesota
42:30leading 10-0 in fast break points and then guess what when ant starts getting this to go good things
42:36come
42:43it's time for this changes everything presented by universal orlando resort and you know ant edwards
42:50is going to get a lot of attention but his ability to get off the ball has proved great for
42:55minnesota's
42:55offense a little no look for rudy but they're up 30 to 8 in paint points and io he's just
43:01been on an
43:01attack all night and it's great pass right here from tante to rudy who's been setting screens and rolling
43:06but end right here isolation sees the paint opening and just goes down there with the patience to get
43:11the end one continue to put pressure on this denver team because no one at that basket can stop him
43:21now we welcome the audience watching the toronto cleveland game here's yokich inside
43:27good assist from the number one is this man in the league nicole yokich and denver's mentality in
43:34these last six minutes is to get this within ten going into halftime you don't want this game to get
43:39out
43:40of control you want to be able to settle down going coming out of halftime to give yourself a chance
43:44denver's never left wolves have led by as many as 19 they are crowding edwards who turns the ball over
43:51that's the first turnover by a minnesota starter tonight they've got 11 assists and one turner
43:57turnover in that starting group but we've talked about points in the paint wolves plus 20 points off
44:04turnovers minnesota plus 10 and denver is 9 of 32 shooting in this game no aaron gordon for those of
44:14you just joining us catch strain they found out at four o'clock this afternoon they changed their
44:18starting lineup their bench has been disrupted yokich on the move he's made two in a row
44:25and right there making yokich catch it farther out but he is just too big too strong that euro
44:33passed a secondary defender and was around the golden screen it's just too easy
44:40i mean let's let's go back and give credit to rudy again sending some incredible screens having
44:44patience you know you want your babies to make sure that they're not moving on the screen allow you as
44:49a
44:49guard to do what you need to do is divincenzo get another steal and minnesota's out on the break
44:57what a play 10 off the bench he has been electrified you talk about divincenzo just coming up with
45:05back breaking praise on that but then if you're denver how about having io and edwards going at you in
45:11transition and christian brown driving into gobert and a foul called on rudy inside protecting the rim
45:20edwards though will pick up the foul it is number three on anthony edwards right here divincenzo
45:26getting the big steal nothing you can do anthony edwards and io going downhill it's tough for anybody
45:36christian brown at the line
45:41denver not only was the number one scoring team this season in the nba they have the second best
45:48scoring offense on the road this season in nba history that's how good they were offensively
45:57and that's even without them being whole you saw right watson you saw aaron gordon missing substantial
46:04games i mean this is a team that minnesota was healthy for the majority of the year a lot of
46:09their
46:09starters played together and denver was unhealthy for majority fear and ended the regular season
46:14on a 12-mo win streak
46:18timberwolves will make seven consecutive shots
46:21here goes divincenzo
46:24feed it outside mcdaniels corner
46:29there's nothing there's nothing you can do about that the ball went from both sides they're not
46:35settling and they're attacking denver wants minnesota to take jump shots it's the victory for the
46:40wolves a rejection inside by the wolves minnesota's just making plays on both ends of the floor
46:47as mcdaniels attack once you get two feet in the paint there's nothing you can do about it kandace
46:55mcdaniels had a lot to say before this game but thus far on the defensive end and offensive end he's
47:00backing it up
47:01in the timeout chris bench talked about movement only with this team you can see on the offensive end
47:06that's the point of emphasis for this team is to make sure that they don't stand still
47:09and now ball wants it that they're moving they keep it catching denver on guard cameron johnson
47:15couldn't get the corner three divincenzo's right here
47:20finished off that position with the two
47:29it's another denver timeout
47:37minnesota has made 10 consecutive shots
47:41dante divincenzo has been the catalyst
47:49tonight from rainy mini outboards the nba on prime brought to you by lily a medicine company
48:16and then divincenzo just play after
48:25play whether it's a steal on one end whether he's knocking down the three at the other
48:3010 first half points an efficient four of six two of four from beyond the yard
48:35he's doing a little of this and a little bit of that remember it was this
48:40player mcdaniels who had some comments about the defense of denver that shot will drop outside
48:47yokich puts it in he's got 11 after getting the four in the first quarter well i like the change
48:54with
48:54yokich as a foul right here on cam johnson but he hasn't had a lot of success backing rudy down
49:01rudy has done a great job as you said in the opener about stopping the top shoulder not letting him
49:06in the paint
49:09as randall is going to be physical this is what he wants to do anyway
49:12i don't know if can't want to get into that that battle with him canvas
49:15yeah randall doesn't miss any weight room days i'll tell you that
49:19a lot of strokes a lot of strokes
49:21devon shakes a race drives lost it
49:25shot clock at seven
49:26goes silver for three rebound murray
49:32and again you've heard some choice words about the defense of denver so it was non-existent
49:37a drive inside murray he shows him in the other end
49:41and that's where denver scored in game one and game two early offense in transition
49:47and allowing jamal to get to his spots randall drives on christian brown
49:52that's the separation
49:56yokich grabs the rebound he's got six
49:58once again
49:59another steal
50:00who's there
50:01divincenzo
50:02the three no yokich the tap cam johnson's got it two and a half to play in the half
50:08that was a back-breaking three t-weight if that would have went down
50:12that was gonna be nasty
50:13yokich leaning in to gobert
50:17as yokich got gobert in the air and played it very craftily and draws the foul out of rudy
50:26and rudy yeah it's a foul i mean rudy he's been doing an incredible job but
50:30like i said on the last possession joker took it upon himself to face rudy up
50:34all right it hasn't been working backing rudy down he has that game plan
50:38so let me face him up and let me now try to get him off balance
50:41he'll get from the line tonight three of three
50:46so we've had the comments by a timberwolves player about the lack of defense of denver
50:51we've had a lot of talk about rudy gobert and what he's done especially in game two
50:57and in particular the fourth quarter against yokich the great mccola yokich two free throws right there
51:22that mid post spin
51:27brandon taking advantage of the mismatch goodness
51:30every time the bench with three fouls yokich open three over mcdaniel's rebound gobert
51:40and randall
51:44hardaway's defense
51:49it's gobert on the line hey i was about to say i was about to say it's rudy's well
51:54well we'll just limit it if he hit that all the way inside ground
51:59by divin genzo
52:03julius randall
52:05two of seven but there is nothing you can do about this with aaron gordon being out
52:12high side force and baseline yokich just a little bit late randall taking a page out of yokich with the
52:17little euro yeah that was a nice euro oh like you said i mean aaron gordon as brown mr frito
52:23aaron gordon
52:24not being in there not being that versatile defender especially down low they're taking advantage of it
52:30they're really just putting their head down putting their shoulders down they're just attacking
52:33they're going to put pressure on yokich and make yokich make a decision does he want to meet them at
52:37the rim
52:38or do you want to be in this game
52:45timberwolves have it
52:47in the second quarter they've gone 13 to 20. number shooting much better second quarter 10 of 18.
52:53that's a minnesota turnover and murray the other way murray it's three of eight driving on randall
52:59hits the brakes back to yokich makes the three on the fly and the rebound by gobert great close out
53:08by mcdagels dosubo knifing his way through traffic and a foul he's a one-man fast break he is one
53:17man
53:17fast break when he was acquired at the trade deadline the timberwolves wanted a guy that could come in
53:23change the tempo take pressure on the defensive end off of anthony edwards and he's done just that i mean
53:30in this playoff series every game it seems like he's getting better and more confident
53:34his college coach is here brad underwood the coach of the line in the building invincible is back and
53:41he's not alone this season is full of unexpected allies as they face a battle that will decide not only
53:48the fate of earth but the entire universe all episodes now streaming only on prime video
53:57go sumo 14 points 10 in the second quarter for the minnesota timberwolves
54:04six-year player as you mentioned they got him in a trade from chicago in february this had to be
54:11what
54:11they envisioned when they brought him in here a guy who can obviously run some point guard at times but
54:16really put some attack on the defense not down over south but defense as well look at this defense
54:21they all ruin the place
54:30it's mcganyels
54:32it's randall
54:34he'll drive on ground he'll feed you though sumo
54:39this is unselfish basketball at this finals on both ends of the floor they're giving of themselves
54:43for the other guy and it's inspiring a lot of traffic randall inshine you know what this reminds me of
54:50this reminds me of one of those paint drills you did early in training camp where you were not
54:55allowed to take threes you just had to get to the pain minnesota giving up on the three ball and
55:00just
55:00putting pressure on the nuggets defense final seconds of the half here is murray mcganyels there
55:06the open screen go pair on the switch
55:08three three three no what a half by minnesota and the crowd loves it
55:22at the half coming up at tnt presents it in the studio taylor blake steve dirk and udonis
55:30the nuggets shot 31 from the floor they scored 39 points for the top offense in the league
55:41we take a break and take you to our studios as you're watching the nba playoffs presented by google
55:48we're coming back to us the way we dance and way we make love i can't stop chasing chasing after
56:08you
56:09the way we dance and way we make love i can't stop chasing after you
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