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00:00:18ДИНАМИЧНАЯ МУЗЫКА
00:00:33Welcome to NBA on Prime Timp-Off.
00:00:37The Minnesota Timberwolves are the sixth seed for the second consecutive year.
00:00:41The Timber Nuggets are number three and enter the playoffs as the hottest team in the NBA.
00:00:50It's great to have you with us this afternoon from the Rockies,
00:00:54where they had snow in 32 degrees yesterday.
00:00:57Kevin Harlan with a couple of Hall of Famers.
00:00:59Dwayne Wade and Candice Parker.
00:01:01And we'll check in with our sideline reporter, Allie Clifton, in just a matter of moments.
00:01:05All right, D-Wade, game one of a series.
00:01:08What's the level of importance?
00:01:10Well, Candice and I believe that game one definitely sets the tone.
00:01:13But I believe in something called a winning formula.
00:01:16Where your star players win you two games.
00:01:19That's Ant and that's Joker.
00:01:20And your role players win you one game.
00:01:22That's when an unexpectedly person shows up.
00:01:26And then your coach has to win you one game.
00:01:28That's adjustments.
00:01:29That's discipline.
00:01:30That's still in the game.
00:01:31I'm with D-Wade.
00:01:32You've got to set the tone in game one.
00:01:34I believe the pressure is always on the home team.
00:01:36So let's see what Minnesota does.
00:01:38Let's see what happens this afternoon.
00:01:39All right.
00:01:40In the history of the NBA playoffs, only 10 players have averaged 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
00:01:48And we're lucky enough to have two of them in today's game.
00:01:51Yes, and one of them by the name of Joker.
00:01:54Joker is a perennial all-star, perennial first team and second team all-NBA.
00:01:59But he has video game numbers.
00:02:01You look at his just casual 50-point triple-double.
00:02:04I mean, he has literally changed the way that we think of the center position in the NBA.
00:02:10And that man came in with a little knee problems.
00:02:12I know a little bit about that.
00:02:13And it's because he's the engine of this team where I was concerned.
00:02:16He's averaging 28 points a game, the most in Timberwolves history.
00:02:19He's an elite shot creator.
00:02:21He's great at all levels.
00:02:22He's a down-pressure guy.
00:02:24But what we love most about him, Candace, is he shows up in the biggest moments.
00:02:28He always has.
00:02:29Now, these two teams, very familiar with one another, over the last three seasons,
00:02:34they've met 28 times, regular season and playoffs.
00:02:3814 wins for the Nuggets, 14 wins for the Timberwolves.
00:02:42Well, this is called right here.
00:02:44This is called a real rivalry right here.
00:02:47These two teams right here, they have confidence versus each other.
00:02:51No one really, really has the mental edge.
00:02:54When you have Joker controlling, you have Ant-Man attacking, it's not about talent.
00:02:59It's about habits, and it's about executing.
00:03:01And in 2023-24, we remember this 0-2 well.
00:03:05Wolves got off to a 2-0 start.
00:03:08Denver came back, won the next three, behind Joker's triple-doubles.
00:03:12But then Minnesota, in game seven, played the spoiler, overcoming a 20-point deficit.
00:03:19Ant heated up in the fourth, and that's what we call a rivalry, Kevin.
00:03:25It's perhaps the most talked-about first-round series, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
00:03:32The Denver Nuggets.
00:03:33These are the NBA playoffs on Prime.
00:03:41Before it tips off, the Timberwolves against the Nuggets in the opening game of the playoffs.
00:03:46And they are meeting in the playoffs for the third time in four years.
00:03:49I mean, you cannot ask for anything better in a series, Dirk.
00:03:52Yeah, I'm hyped for this one.
00:03:53This is my favorite matchup.
00:03:55The star power is there.
00:03:56The teams are great.
00:03:57They met a few times.
00:03:58They have a little rivalry going.
00:04:00So, there's a lot of great matchups across the board.
00:04:03So, we're excited for this one.
00:04:04Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing, you know, the others of these teams.
00:04:08You know, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Christian Brown, Bruce Brown.
00:04:11There's so many guys on each side.
00:04:14The Nugget, the Timberwolves bench, I think, is going to be very, very important.
00:04:18In this series, I.O., Nas Reed, Bones, those guys will need to come in and give them a spark.
00:04:25This Denver Nuggets team, you know, hasn't had many games healthy this year.
00:04:29So, you know, we'll see if they can sort of get it together in the playoffs.
00:04:33Yeah, and nobody's reinventing the wheel right now.
00:04:35I think these teams both know each other very well.
00:04:37So, it's just going to come down to who's going to impose their will, who wants it more,
00:04:40who's going to make the least amount of mistakes, and who's going to close out games.
00:04:44These kind of games are going to be possession games.
00:04:46I'm excited for the new acquisitions.
00:04:48You know, neither team got over the hump last year in the playoffs,
00:04:51so they make additions.
00:04:52Don Sumo with the Timberwolves, Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown comes back, others with the Nuggets.
00:04:57What impact do they have in this playoff series?
00:04:59That's going to be a really important component in who wins.
00:05:01Yeah, Wolves on a quest, of course, to make it to the finals,
00:05:03but also to get back to the conference finals for the third straight season.
00:05:07Tip-off is just ahead.
00:05:08Ant and the Timberwolves against Yogurt and the Nuggets.
00:05:10We'll get you out to the game right after this.
00:05:20Three, oh, a signature slam!
00:05:24I'm going to get at you.
00:05:26Minnesota, they say you the one.
00:05:29Yet, you haven't won.
00:05:32Denver, go get your lick back.
00:05:38Timberwolves, Nuggets, Game 1.
00:05:42Welcome to the NBA Playoffs on Prime.
00:05:46Be the noise.
00:05:58And there is a lot of noise in the Mile High City.
00:06:01Welcome to the NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with first-round coverage on Prime, presented by Lilly.
00:06:11Temperature climbing, snow yesterday, 32 degrees inside.
00:06:17It is rocking.
00:06:19This team won the NBA championship just a couple years ago.
00:06:22They have high hopes entering these 2026 NBA Playoffs.
00:06:34Right now, let's take a look at today's starting lineups.
00:06:38They're presented by DoorDash.
00:06:40The Timberwolves, of course, led by Anthony Edwards.
00:06:43But we know, Dwayne, that his knee is not 100%.
00:06:47And how he comes out, how he traverses this game will be one of the big stories.
00:06:52It's going to be very important of how he attacks this game early.
00:06:55We're going to be looking to see where his mentality is.
00:06:58But we know Ant is a gamer, and he does this.
00:07:03And then, for the Denver Nuggets, everything is really working.
00:07:07Especially the combination, Candice, of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
00:07:13Boy, they fit so well together.
00:07:15Well, when you have an MVP three times that's having career numbers,
00:07:18and you have Jamal Murray that's coming off of his first all-star selection,
00:07:22playing great basketball career numbers across the board.
00:07:26They are led.
00:07:27But let's not forget, they have a supporting cast that is really playing well as well.
00:07:31And there's a look at David Adelman.
00:07:34At one time, he was a Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach.
00:07:38His dad, Rick, coached the team.
00:07:40David Adelman in his first full season.
00:07:44And there is sixth-year head coach, Chris Finch,
00:07:48who continues to make this team a winner.
00:07:52They've won 49 games or more for a third consecutive season.
00:07:59Wow, is this place going crazy?
00:08:02They love their Nuggets.
00:08:08But the Timberwolves have faced this before.
00:08:10In fact, the Timberwolves have one of the best road playoff records in the NBA over the last couple years.
00:08:17Well, they're ready for this.
00:08:18And they have a guy that they believe in.
00:08:20They all get around Ant-Man.
00:08:22They all get around Rudy on the defensive end of the floor.
00:08:24So they got guys that they believe in, and they know their game can travel.
00:08:28All right, the officials this afternoon for this game one.
00:08:31The crew chief, the heralded Zach Zarba.
00:08:3523rd season.
00:08:36The referee is Jason Goble.
00:08:40He is in his 10th season.
00:08:42And the umpire is Eric Galen in his 18th.
00:08:46Our alternate, Diedrich Taylor.
00:08:49Nick Booker, Kevin Cutler in the replay center.
00:08:52And away we go in the Rockies.
00:08:54It'll be controlled by the Wolves.
00:08:56Yes, and the Wolves, as Coach Finch said,
00:08:59they have to take care of the ball.
00:09:01They have to run good offense.
00:09:03And then on the other end, they have to set the tone with their defense.
00:09:07No one is sitting down in this building right now.
00:09:09Did you hit a consendo in this building right now, Candace?
00:09:11It is playoff time.
00:09:13The noise is deafening.
00:09:14And Daniels can't hit.
00:09:16Here's Jokic.
00:09:17And Aaron Gordon bumping his way into Edwards.
00:09:20Got his own miss.
00:09:22Filed as he went up.
00:09:23And immediately, the Nuggets go to Aaron Gordon.
00:09:27We talk about Aaron Gordon's production on the defensive end.
00:09:30But this year, he has really had an impact on the Nuggets' offense offensively.
00:09:35We know he likes to hang out in that dunker spot.
00:09:37Again, first possession going down and getting it to a matchup against Ann Edwards.
00:09:41He's incredible in that dunker spot.
00:09:43He makes sure that he continues to move.
00:09:45You never know where he is.
00:09:46You can't keep a hand up.
00:09:48And he's a mismatch problem for anyone down there.
00:09:52Dante DiVincenzo picked up his first personal foul for the Wolves.
00:09:57And D-Wade, his ability to play off of Joker and Murray is what sets him apart.
00:10:03I mean, he's knocking down the three at 40% nearly this year.
00:10:07But then also hanging out in the dunker spot and causing mismatch problems.
00:10:13Last three months for the Wolves.
00:10:15The Wolves 18-14.
00:10:17They didn't finish the way they wanted to after a pretty quick start, clearly.
00:10:21It's DiVincenzo on the screen by Gobert.
00:10:24Well, just good offense.
00:10:25Like Coach said, they want to make sure that their game plan is executed.
00:10:29And they came out, they ran and said they executed and got the shot that they wanted.
00:10:34Denver, the number one scoring team in the NBA.
00:10:37You're going to see a lot of Jokic and Murray going head-to-head against this defense of the Wolves.
00:10:44And another foul is called.
00:10:46It goes on Minnesota's Anthony Edwards.
00:10:49But D-Wade, Jokic, I'll keep talking about I'm not a traditional point guard.
00:10:52But I am somebody who can run the offense.
00:10:54And this is what he does very well is make sure that when he's knocking down shots, this team is
00:10:58very dangerous.
00:11:00Jokic led the league in assists.
00:11:02Off to Murray.
00:11:03On the side.
00:11:05Three is away.
00:11:05No good by Cam Johnson.
00:11:07It ricochets out of bounds.
00:11:09The officials look with some clarity.
00:11:12It will be Denver's ball.
00:11:16Well, there's a theory in the NBA, in the playoffs, your role players play well at home.
00:11:22And so it's going to be key that Cam Johnson, as Randall, gets the foul.
00:11:27Was the ball inbounded before?
00:11:32It'll just be a side out.
00:11:36Right here, you see Randall being physical with Aaron Gordon.
00:11:43He's like, it's the playoffs, ref.
00:11:45Allow us to be physical.
00:11:47Johnson will take it right down the lane.
00:11:54Rolls the other way, Julius Randall.
00:11:57And Anthony Edwards, third leading scorer.
00:11:59D'Evincenzo, another three.
00:12:00He got it again.
00:12:01He's at two from distance to start the game.
00:12:04Well, you know, Ant-Man is trying to feel his way into this game right now.
00:12:07And David Vincenzo coming out, knocking these shots down.
00:12:10I'm telling you, the confidence that this guy brings to this team when he's playing this way is unbelievable.
00:12:14And when you're a shooter and those first two go down, that basket gets bigger and bigger.
00:12:19Here's Edwards, step back, it's a two.
00:12:22Reveremary rebound.
00:12:25Everett Ole Miss, he's in 20-13.
00:12:28Christian Brown, no.
00:12:30D'Evincenzo's got it.
00:12:32Edwards is on the deck and holding his leg already as he hobbles the other way.
00:12:37McDaniels here.
00:12:38He is dancing on Gordon, who picks up the foul on the defense of Jaden McDaniels, number one on Gordon.
00:12:45And McDaniels is growing into this role this year.
00:12:50He has grown every year.
00:12:52He's been a member of this team.
00:12:53But this year, taking more on the offensive load, playmaking, career numbers across the board.
00:12:59I mean, you talk about internal growth.
00:13:03McDaniels, an 83% free throw shooter.
00:13:13Welcome, everyone, to Denver.
00:13:16For those of you just watching game one of our prime tripleheader, Kevin Harlan, Hall of Famers, Candice Parker, Dwayne
00:13:23Wade, and Allie Clifton is on our sideline.
00:13:25Thrilled to have you with us.
00:13:27This is perhaps the most talked-about first-round matchup in these NBA playoffs.
00:13:32The Nuggets and the Wolves, familiar with one another, and star power with Gordon at three.
00:13:37Rebound, go-bill.
00:13:40We have two of the top three highest-scoring players in the game, including Edwards, number three, and Jokic, number
00:13:46eight.
00:13:47The Wolves have it here.
00:13:48And McDaniels working down that baseline for two.
00:13:51Well, it's like, once again, it may get his confidence in this game.
00:13:54The others are more important, the most important to start this game off.
00:13:58So you see Dante being very aggressive.
00:14:00You see Jake being very aggressive early.
00:14:03He was in the landing zone, and a foul on McDaniels.
00:14:06Oh, and down goes Murray holding onto that ankle, and that's the reason why that rule is there.
00:14:12And they're going to look at it probably again.
00:14:15Yep, they will.
00:14:179-15 in the first.
00:14:18Watch it again.
00:14:19Right here, Murray getting into a shot.
00:14:22McDaniels goes forward.
00:14:23And again, they put this rule in for...
00:14:25A defensive foul on McDaniels.
00:14:27The play is being reviewed to see if it meets the criteria for an illegal closeout.
00:14:30They put this rule in.
00:14:32I remember Kawhi Leonard going down in Golden State.
00:14:36Yes.
00:14:37His year with the Spurs.
00:14:38And all in the name of safety.
00:14:40All in the name of keeping the shooters safe.
00:14:42Yep.
00:14:43Because when you're up there, you're so open for anything that could happen in mid-flight.
00:14:48And so, as they take a look at it over there, and Zach Zarba, for those of you joining us,
00:14:52is our crew chief here in Denver this afternoon.
00:14:56And here is again the shot by Murray.
00:14:58With the defense by McDaniels.
00:15:00A terrific defensive player.
00:15:04It doesn't look like McDaniels is going forward into the shooting.
00:15:09It looks like Murray's motion takes him forward into his foot.
00:15:12I think it's just a common foul.
00:15:13And it looked like his defense almost just carried him into that position.
00:15:16But it wasn't like he stuck out of foot.
00:15:19Yeah, he didn't extend the foot even more.
00:15:20It kind of landed right where his body landed.
00:15:22He didn't go out any further.
00:15:23So, I agree with Candace.
00:15:26Timberwolves come in.
00:15:28A 49-win team.
00:15:31As they discuss it here.
00:15:34Wolves are number six.
00:15:36And Denver number three.
00:15:38In the seating in the Western Conference.
00:15:40As we get our new audience up to speed.
00:15:44And I can't emphasize enough the importance for Minnesota to get out to a big league early.
00:15:50As the road team, you want to hit shots.
00:15:52DiVincenzo doing that.
00:15:54McDaniels doing that.
00:15:56It's foot-to-foot.
00:15:58That's foot-to-foot contact.
00:16:00It is.
00:16:01And I...
00:16:02Before the refs come back...
00:16:04Okay.
00:16:06After review, it's been deemed McDaniels does not give Murray time and space to land.
00:16:10And there's foot-to-foot contact with a high potential for injury.
00:16:14This foul has been upgraded to a flagrant foul.
00:16:15Penalty one.
00:16:16Three free throws for Murray.
00:16:20So, Murray will be at the line.
00:16:24Yeah, the emphasis on foot-to-foot contact this year.
00:16:27That angle.
00:16:28Great work by our camera guys.
00:16:30That angle showed just that.
00:16:32And that is why Murray is going to the free throw line.
00:16:35So, the Denver Nuggets take the fourth most free throw attempts of any team.
00:16:40And the NBA.
00:16:41And Candace, they're good.
00:16:42They're top five in free throw percentage.
00:16:45Well, you understand in the postseason, you've got to do two things.
00:16:48You've got to take care of the basketball.
00:16:49And you've got to knock down free throws at the charity strike.
00:16:52Well, that's why you need a guy like Jamal Murray.
00:16:53A guy, especially late in games, that you can count on.
00:16:56You know he can get his shot.
00:16:57But you also, too, knowing that he can get to the foul line.
00:16:59He's going to put a lot of pressure on the defense.
00:17:02And they're going to have to do one or the other.
00:17:04Let him shoot, or he's going to get a foul.
00:17:06So, you need a guy like this if you want to win a championship.
00:17:12Jamal Murray, a career year.
00:17:14He averaged 25 points, grabbed four rebounds, and had seven assists a game with his 18 double-doubles.
00:17:21A career season in every category.
00:17:24He was healthy.
00:17:25He played a lot.
00:17:26And it showed.
00:17:28And Coach Adelman talked to us before the game about just that.
00:17:31Jamal Murray's headspace is the best it's ever been.
00:17:34And we all know the importance of the mental game in basketball.
00:17:37The mentality that you bring.
00:17:39And he's playing free.
00:17:40He's playing happy.
00:17:41And I think that's why he's shooting 43% from beyond the arc.
00:17:44It's Jokic in to go bare.
00:17:45The ball is deflected.
00:17:47It is out of bounds.
00:17:48It is off of Denver.
00:17:50I like that point that Coach Adelman made about a lot of people don't talk about the mental space of
00:17:55athletes.
00:17:55You can have great statistics and have a good year, but not really be where you need to be because
00:18:00you're mental.
00:18:01Because a lot of things in your life is not in the place you need to be.
00:18:05And that is a great sign from Minnesota.
00:18:09The others are stepping up.
00:18:10Randall, his numbers have dipped a little bit after All-Star break.
00:18:13It's got to feel good getting him in that mid-post early and seeing it go down.
00:18:17Johnson with a three.
00:18:22Cam Johnson buries one from outside.
00:18:26I love how aggressive Johnson is.
00:18:28Looking for a shot very early on.
00:18:30They're going to need their role players to step up very early in this game.
00:18:33They were Steve Vincenzo's in a couple threes already.
00:18:37Oh, the try!
00:18:38Bummit candles as he took it in.
00:18:40Ricochet is away.
00:18:42Gobert is arguing that they want to take a look at it.
00:18:45Timeout taken by Minnesota.
00:18:488.19 to go.
00:18:49Jokic was in there as the line of defense.
00:18:56There'll be a challenge by Minnesota.
00:18:59Watch it again.
00:19:01Yep, he got the elbow.
00:19:04Minnesota's challenging the out-of-mouth.
00:19:09Successful.
00:19:09The fouls on Jokic at the line will be the Wolves.
00:19:13And we say good afternoon to the fourth member of our crew, Allie Clifton.
00:19:17Hey, Kevin.
00:19:18They often say a player's best ability is his availability.
00:19:21But the reality for T-Wolves star Anthony Edwards,
00:19:24his availability to close out the regular season was simply just limited.
00:19:27Anthony Edwards playing just four games since March 14th as he dealt with right knee issues,
00:19:32injury, maintenance.
00:19:33He said his focus coming into these playoffs since that was for him starting to get his body right,
00:19:38mainly getting his body fat down.
00:19:40He feels he's done that.
00:19:41He's down to 218 pounds, which he noted he hasn't been since he was 18 years old.
00:19:45He played this season for reference, guys, at 226.
00:19:48So game shape, his conditioning, that was the priority.
00:19:51And then from there he admitted since he hasn't played much the last month,
00:19:54he had to get his rhythm too, getting his shots back, feeling comfortable, running, defending.
00:19:58Though he said he had to factor it all in coming into the postseason,
00:20:02it is something we will keep an eye on,
00:20:04making sure that knee and his health is where it needs to be.
00:20:06Allie, thank you.
00:20:08Here is Rando.
00:20:09He's hit one.
00:20:10He puts up another.
00:20:11No good.
00:20:12I guess the question may be with Ant is what kind of game shape is he in
00:20:15because he's missed so much time.
00:20:17Well, you're going to see because in Denver, there is high altitude and you feel it.
00:20:22So to come back in your first game, it's a little bit of rhythm and a little bit of altitude.
00:20:28Yeah, and Ant has really dealt with a lot of injuries in his career.
00:20:30So you can see him just kind of working his way into it a little bit.
00:20:33There's a shot right there, rebound, yanked off the glass by Aaron Gordon.
00:20:39And as you know, D-Made, when you're coming back, not having your legs,
00:20:42sometimes your shots are a little short, especially early.
00:20:45Rando is in the way, draws the Timberwolves foul on the wing, on the driving Gordon.
00:20:51Well, to your point, we've got altitude.
00:20:53We have an early game.
00:20:54It's a 1.30 local start here in the Rockies.
00:20:58And you're trying to get Rep back up and do what you do.
00:21:02Yeah, man, listen, I didn't like early games, Candace.
00:21:04I don't know about you, but you have to find a way while you're in the locker room,
00:21:09while you're in the hallway.
00:21:10You have to find your way before you get on this court that you already labored up,
00:21:14you're already ready to go because you don't have time to work yourself into a playoff game.
00:21:18Randall just picked up his second personal foul.
00:21:20And Randall emphatic that that was not a foul call, that he went straight up.
00:21:26But, D-Wade, to your point, Coach Adaman said they had to make a decision
00:21:31of whether they wanted to bring guys in early.
00:21:34They elected to do an 11 o'clock walkthrough.
00:21:36It's so important to be locked in on your scouting report
00:21:40because possessions matter and each play can impact the game.
00:21:43Now's read is checked in for Randall.
00:21:46Two fouls on the bench.
00:21:48We'll keep track of that early in the first five minutes of the game.
00:21:51Less than five minutes.
00:21:54McDaniels, his 17-footer is good.
00:21:56It was over Johnson.
00:21:57Well, we know we all talk about Jake McDaniels as a stopper,
00:22:00but what he is is he's the X-Factor on this team.
00:22:02Offensively, when he's playing this way, this team is really, really good.
00:22:06And he gets the turnover and hammers it home.
00:22:09And McDaniels has been available all season.
00:22:11We've seen what he's grown on the offensive end,
00:22:13but he causes havoc with his length in activity on the defensive end as well.
00:22:18Johnson can't get the three.
00:22:19Here comes Edwards.
00:22:21Minnesota, the number seven scoring team in the NBA.
00:22:25And you see how they're loading up against Ant.
00:22:28He hasn't come off of many pick and rolls,
00:22:30but we're going to see if they're going to put two on the ball,
00:22:31but they are definitely going to show him a crowd.
00:22:34And that's over Murray.
00:22:38And a 7-0 Minnesota run.
00:22:40Game one on the road, and look at that score.
00:22:44Against the Nuggets, who have won 12 consecutive games coming in.
00:22:48Edwards laces one from outside.
00:22:516-27 in the first.
00:22:52These are the NBA playoffs on Prime.
00:22:56I say this is about the best way you could possibly begin.
00:23:00Yes, the others started hitting shots in McDaniels and DiVincenzo,
00:23:04and then Ant joined the party.
00:23:05So this is a great start for Timberwolves.
00:23:07Oh, this is the best start right here, and Coach talked about it,
00:23:09especially when it comes to Jaden McDaniels.
00:23:11He's probably the most important player when he's out that they miss the most
00:23:15because of everything that he does on the floor.
00:23:17And he does a lot.
00:23:18We've seen it already.
00:23:20DiVincenzo with a couple of threes.
00:23:22Let's now take a look at today's epic performance presented by Hyundai.
00:23:26Well, we love Aaron Gordon because he does all the things, Candace.
00:23:30Let's talk about him defensively.
00:23:31He's going to be in all the right places.
00:23:33He's going to make sure he protects the basket.
00:23:34He's going to make sure that he can switch on multiple defenders as well.
00:23:39And then offensively, Candace, you know he does everything.
00:23:41Yes, he does everything, and the stats don't lie.
00:23:44AG's impact is clear.
00:23:4627-9 record with him and a 27-19 without.
00:23:50He is a key member of that pick and roll.
00:23:52We talk about Jokic.
00:23:53We talk about Murray being able to do it all.
00:23:55But him hanging out in the Duggar spot,
00:23:57him being able to knock down 39% from deep,
00:24:00he is a key member to this team.
00:24:02Tim Hardaway has checked in for the Denver Nuggets.
00:24:05Now, Cam Johnson on the bench.
00:24:07Jokic on top.
00:24:08Gobert is there.
00:24:09Jokic has had success against Gobert.
00:24:12And back out to Murray to reset.
00:24:14And so, Gobert makes the steal.
00:24:17So now, but then he stepped out of bounds.
00:24:21But there's a lot on his shoulders, right?
00:24:23I mean, because we just think four-time defensive player of the year
00:24:26and a nine-time all-defensive player,
00:24:29you expect so much,
00:24:30but he's going up against arguably the best player in the league.
00:24:32Well, you know, Gobert's strength as a defender
00:24:35is not necessarily his one-on-one ability.
00:24:38It's his ability to protect the pain
00:24:40and protect the rim for this team
00:24:42and rebound the basketball.
00:24:43And so, he got his hands cut out for him.
00:24:46Nuggets have started 2 of 11.
00:24:48Yeah, the Nuggets are struggling on the offensive end.
00:24:50Obviously, a little short on the shots.
00:24:52I'd love to see them get Jokic going here a little bit.
00:24:56Didn't take a shot in the first four minutes of the game.
00:24:59Reid couldn't get it,
00:25:00but retrieved by Gobert,
00:25:02there, Wolves reset,
00:25:04shot clock at 6.
00:25:05Edwards drives, lays it up for 2.
00:25:09Got that bounce, Candice.
00:25:13Foul as he took it inside,
00:25:14and now Minnesota's got their biggest lead.
00:25:16And obviously, the entire league knows
00:25:18if you let Ant go right,
00:25:20you're in for a long night,
00:25:21forcing lap downhill.
00:25:23But right here,
00:25:24him turning on the burner,
00:25:26showing, like,
00:25:27that knee looks pretty good early.
00:25:29Gordon picked up his second.
00:25:32Randall's on the Minnesota bench with 2.
00:25:35Di Vincenzo has checked out.
00:25:38Ayo Dosumu has checked in.
00:25:44Dosumu's in a pretty important player for the Wolves in this series.
00:25:46Yes, Ayo definitely comes in,
00:25:48changes the pace,
00:25:49and we're going to see this pick and roll right here.
00:25:52Murray Jokic.
00:25:54Early Denver,
00:25:55a little short.
00:25:56Sometimes when you're on a 12-game win streak,
00:25:58you don't want the season to stop.
00:25:59You want to roll right in the playoffs.
00:26:01Denver has some rest.
00:26:02We were talking to Allie earlier,
00:26:04and she was saying that Jokic did not want the season to end
00:26:08and take that much time off.
00:26:09They had six days in between this game,
00:26:11and Jokic was mad about that
00:26:12because he knew this team was already in the flow.
00:26:15They were already in the rhythm,
00:26:16and you know what happens when you take time off.
00:26:18You get rusty.
00:26:18And it's been such a weird year for the Nuggets.
00:26:21Began well,
00:26:21then all the injuries piled up,
00:26:23and then they finished strong, as we know.
00:26:25Yes, they finished strong.
00:26:26Obviously, we're looking at the 12-0 finish,
00:26:29but they finished 17-4,
00:26:31and they played the toughest remaining schedule
00:26:33with 20 games left.
00:26:35You talk about OKC twice.
00:26:36You talk about San Antonio three times,
00:26:38and so they were able to have proof in the pudding
00:26:41that they could contend,
00:26:43and Coach Adelman said he believes this is a year
00:26:45that all six teams that are top in the West
00:26:48could possibly win a championship.
00:26:50We can all see Jokic
00:26:51had stuck it up his nose with that gauze.
00:26:53Now it's out,
00:26:54but he got hit on the play
00:26:57and some full-court pressure here by Minnesota.
00:26:59They're in a 9-0 run right now.
00:27:03It's Murray.
00:27:05He's gone 0-2.
00:27:08Jokic on top,
00:27:09a three over Gobert.
00:27:17But Kevin, they say let sleeping dogs lie,
00:27:20and they shouldn't hit him in the nose
00:27:21because he's walking out.
00:27:22That's exactly right.
00:27:23In to Gobert with a jam,
00:27:25and Gordon was there,
00:27:26but he's got to be careful with the two fouls.
00:27:28And I think he was a little late on that rotation
00:27:30because he was scared to pick up that third foul.
00:27:34The driving and pounding of Jokic.
00:27:39Gobert is there with another steal.
00:27:41His second.
00:27:42Basumu.
00:27:42Reid hammers it home.
00:27:48And let's give credit where credit is due to Rudy Gobert.
00:27:51You talk about a guy that is going to be,
00:27:55I'm going to say it ahead of time,
00:27:57a ninth time on the all-defensive team.
00:27:59He is one of the best defenders that this league has set head.
00:28:03He's taken this matchup straight up
00:28:05against one of the best players we've ever seen in this league.
00:28:08McKenna, this is attention to detail.
00:28:10Understanding when Jokic is on that left block,
00:28:12he wants to come to the middle.
00:28:14And so he did not give up as Brown hit the three.
00:28:17He did not give up the middle at all.
00:28:19And that allowed him to be in position to get the steal.
00:28:22Gershwin Brown's a 30% three-point shooter,
00:28:25but he put one in there.
00:28:26Yeah, so sometimes when you're in the corner,
00:28:28obviously statistically, analytically, it goes up.
00:28:31But this team, 39% on the year,
00:28:34lead the league in three-point percentage.
00:28:38Gershwin was off.
00:28:39Jokic lobbing in power!
00:28:41Cut!
00:28:43What a pass!
00:28:44And that is a hard pass to make.
00:28:46That's a tough pass, but not for Jokic.
00:28:47That's what he does.
00:28:48I mean, the average 20 eight points a game,
00:28:51but scoring is secondary.
00:28:53His assistant, his ability to pass is primary.
00:28:56Reid got the shot with a nice move around,
00:28:58but couldn't complete it.
00:29:00Brown the other way.
00:29:01A nest of Minnesota defenders there.
00:29:04Hardaway picks up.
00:29:05Can't get the mid-range shot.
00:29:06In Minnesota, if you're Minnesota right now,
00:29:08you've got to settle, you've got to steady the ship,
00:29:10and you've got to get a good shot on goal here.
00:29:13You've got to keep Denver at a transition.
00:29:16Murray was defending McDaniels.
00:29:19It's Jokic.
00:29:21This is when they're at their best.
00:29:22Oh, Hardaway!
00:29:24This is when they're at their best, D-Wade.
00:29:28You talk about point forward.
00:29:33It's a 7-0 run by the Denver Nuggets.
00:29:37Go-bam.
00:29:38Reid.
00:29:39The single three bucket.
00:29:45He was an All-America in Illinois.
00:29:47They got him in a trade from Chicago midseason.
00:29:49Proud again.
00:29:50Another three launched.
00:29:52That's a rebound by Reid.
00:29:53But normally, what star got the card players
00:29:55that normally score in a certain area.
00:29:57And so you can game plan for that.
00:29:59You cannot game plan for Jokic
00:30:01because you don't know what he's going to do
00:30:03when he's going to do it.
00:30:04He scores from everywhere.
00:30:05Makes impact everywhere.
00:30:08The ball rotation by the Wolves.
00:30:10The shot clock at 5.
00:30:11The twirling read.
00:30:13He's pickpocketed by Jokic.
00:30:14Numbers the other way.
00:30:16Hardaway.
00:30:17Oh, rejected.
00:30:18What a great rejection by Edwards.
00:30:20And then a foul on Minnesota.
00:30:29Right here, Jokic gets hit in the face
00:30:31on an Anthony Edwards and one.
00:30:34Ever since, the Joker came alive.
00:30:37Knocked down a three.
00:30:38Got a couple highlight reels.
00:30:41Threw a no-look assist.
00:30:43Right here to Hardaway for the monster jam.
00:30:47I mean, that's just the impact that Jokic has
00:30:49when he has the ball in his hands.
00:30:50Miles Reed picked up his first for Minnesota.
00:30:53How fun is it, Candace,
00:30:54when you know you have a guy
00:30:55that is looking for you
00:30:57in transition on a half court?
00:30:59You always make sure you stay ready.
00:31:01And that's what they're doing right now.
00:31:02When Jokic has the ball,
00:31:03these guys are running to their spots.
00:31:05They're not jogging.
00:31:06They're ready and they're prepared for their moment.
00:31:08And that's why they got back in this game.
00:31:09A lot of substitutions here coming in
00:31:11for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
00:31:12Timberwolves, Bones Highland has come in.
00:31:14Dosumu remains.
00:31:15Mike Conley is in the game.
00:31:17Reed stays on the floor for the Timberwolves.
00:31:21And they've also had Kyle Anderson out there
00:31:24for Minnesota.
00:31:28It's Conley.
00:31:30A lot of experience.
00:31:34But no longer starting.
00:31:36Dosumu three.
00:31:38With a rebound by Jokic.
00:31:39Well, Conley's in the game
00:31:40because this team needs to be settled right now.
00:31:42Listen, they're on the road
00:31:44in an incredible environment
00:31:46to play this game of basketball.
00:31:47And it gets loud.
00:31:48And so he's in to settle this team.
00:31:51That's a foul.
00:31:52It's on Gordon.
00:31:53He has number three.
00:31:54And that is a gigantic story.
00:32:02And it looks like
00:32:04Coach Adelman just got teed up
00:32:06when he's trying to call a timeout
00:32:08to get a review, he's arguing.
00:32:18Right here, Aaron Gordon in the post
00:32:20against a smaller Conley.
00:32:22Swings through above the shoulders.
00:32:25You know, and Conley positioned himself well
00:32:28to perhaps make it look like
00:32:30it was harder than it was.
00:32:32Look at that.
00:32:33He's smart, Kevin.
00:32:34He's very smart.
00:32:36On the floor of offensive foul
00:32:38against Gordon is being challenged
00:32:39by Denver.
00:32:42And I think if you're Denver,
00:32:43you gotta challenge this.
00:32:45A.G.
00:32:45picking up his third foul
00:32:47in the first quarter.
00:32:51David Adelman is really
00:32:53lobbying for his star, Aaron Gordon.
00:32:56They need him so much
00:32:57in this series.
00:32:58We gotta time.
00:32:59They're taking a look at it.
00:33:01A challenge.
00:33:01An offensive foul
00:33:02on their Aaron Gordon.
00:33:04An indispensable player
00:33:06on their team.
00:33:07If it is charged against him,
00:33:09it'll be his third.
00:33:10We're not out of the first quarter yet.
00:33:14After a view,
00:33:15it's been deemed Conley
00:33:16is in a legal guarding position
00:33:17and Gordon turns illegally
00:33:19into him,
00:33:19dislodging him from his space.
00:33:21Ruling on the floor,
00:33:22stands as an offensive foul.
00:33:24Again, the craftiness
00:33:25of Conley
00:33:26to be in that kind of position.
00:33:28Yeah, I mean, Mike Conley,
00:33:30he's in here to settle things,
00:33:31but also, too,
00:33:32the little things matter.
00:33:33He has so much playoff experience
00:33:35and it's just about
00:33:36getting yourself in position.
00:33:37He understands he's not
00:33:39going to block the shot,
00:33:40but he gets in position
00:33:41because he knows
00:33:41he's got to report.
00:33:43Yes, we call that.
00:33:45If you're little,
00:33:46you've got to beat
00:33:46the big to the spot.
00:33:48Doing a great job
00:33:49moving his feet,
00:33:50getting in the way.
00:33:50Now, my question is,
00:33:52we understand the importance
00:33:53of AG
00:33:55to this Denver Nuggets team.
00:33:57They have played without him.
00:33:58They've played good basketball
00:33:59without him as well
00:34:00and they have to
00:34:01find someone else
00:34:02to step up
00:34:03and do what he does
00:34:04on both ends of the court.
00:34:05So now Denver
00:34:06has four bench players
00:34:08on the floor
00:34:09with Jokic.
00:34:10Bruce Brown
00:34:11and Spencer Jones
00:34:12have checked in
00:34:13and the Timberwolves
00:34:15in terms of their starters,
00:34:17not one is out there.
00:34:18It's an all-bench group
00:34:19right now.
00:34:21With 132 to go
00:34:23in the first,
00:34:24Denver
00:34:25has gone
00:34:266 of 20.
00:34:27Minnesota
00:34:27has gone
00:34:2811 of 20.
00:34:30The three's
00:34:31about equal.
00:34:34Rebounding
00:34:34tied at 12.
00:34:36Bones Highland.
00:34:38Nas Reed,
00:34:40a former
00:34:40six-man award winner
00:34:41in the NBA.
00:34:43Shot clock at three.
00:34:44Highland,
00:34:45a former Denver Nugget
00:34:46at three.
00:34:48Rebound Jokic.
00:34:49And that right there
00:34:50is a great defensive
00:34:51possession
00:34:52by the Nuggets,
00:34:53not allowing Reed
00:34:54to take advantage
00:34:54of the mismatch
00:34:56on the block.
00:34:57It's another turnover.
00:34:59Conley got it.
00:35:00Dosubo at the other end.
00:35:02Conley making things happen.
00:35:04As a veteran,
00:35:05that's why
00:35:05they wanted him back
00:35:07from moments like this
00:35:08when things are going
00:35:10a little astray.
00:35:11You need a guy
00:35:11that can come in
00:35:12and settle everything
00:35:13and do the things
00:35:14that you know
00:35:15wins ballgames.
00:35:16Hardaway three.
00:35:17No.
00:35:18Tipped up inside.
00:35:19It's picked up
00:35:20by the Timberwolves
00:35:21and here they come.
00:35:22Final half-minute
00:35:23of the first quarter.
00:35:24They've won by
00:35:25as many as 12.
00:35:27Highland picking
00:35:29and poking his way.
00:35:33And the shot clock again
00:35:35wound down to five
00:35:36with Reed in a series
00:35:37of moves
00:35:38and working in on Johnson.
00:35:43Bruce Brown with the ball.
00:35:46And the final
00:35:48ten seconds
00:35:49of the first.
00:35:56Jokic is one of two.
00:35:58They go inside.
00:35:59Brown couldn't get it.
00:36:00Conley leaping up
00:36:01for the rebound.
00:36:02And that pretty much went
00:36:03about as well as it could have
00:36:05for the Timberwolves
00:36:05on the road.
00:36:07It's a ten-point
00:36:09Minnesota lead.
00:36:10It's game one.
00:36:11Best of seven.
00:36:12You're watching
00:36:12the NBA playoffs
00:36:14presented by Google
00:36:15on Prime.
00:36:17You're watching
00:36:18first-round coverage
00:36:20on Prime
00:36:21presented by
00:36:22Lilly.
00:36:23It's the Wolves
00:36:24by ten.
00:36:25They've led by twelve.
00:36:27And one of the big
00:36:27developing scores
00:36:29for the Denver Nuggets,
00:36:31Aaron Gordon
00:36:31has got three
00:36:32early fouls
00:36:34in this one.
00:36:36Yeah, well,
00:36:37you know,
00:36:37we keep talking about
00:36:37the importance of him
00:36:38and you can see it
00:36:39when Coach Alderman
00:36:40jumped off the bench
00:36:41and took that technical foul.
00:36:42That's how important
00:36:43that player is for him
00:36:44and also, too,
00:36:45he don't want to lose
00:36:46Aaron Gordon,
00:36:47so he wanted to show
00:36:47that fight for him
00:36:48as somebody they're going
00:36:49to need to come back
00:36:50and help them win
00:36:51this ballgame.
00:36:52It's Brown on top
00:36:53over Highland for three
00:36:54and Allie Clifton,
00:36:55I guess it was a pretty
00:36:56spirited Denver huddle
00:36:58moments ago.
00:36:59I will just taking
00:37:00off of that
00:37:01from Dwayne Wade
00:37:02regarding Aaron Gordon,
00:37:03just echoing
00:37:04those sentiments.
00:37:05He's the guy
00:37:05that knows
00:37:06how much familiarity
00:37:07lies between these
00:37:08two teams.
00:37:09He says,
00:37:09we can talk X's and O's
00:37:10all we want,
00:37:10but bottom line,
00:37:11we just have to settle
00:37:12in and be us, guys.
00:37:15Deflected out of bounds.
00:37:16Allie, thank you.
00:37:17Denver, six field goals
00:37:19and six turnovers.
00:37:20That's the way
00:37:21they've started.
00:37:21They haven't scored
00:37:22from the field
00:37:23in the last three minutes.
00:37:25They're taking a lot
00:37:26of threes.
00:37:26Jokic is now resting
00:37:27on the bench.
00:37:28Yeah, so we understand
00:37:29the firepower of the Nuggets.
00:37:30They have two of the
00:37:31best scorers in the game,
00:37:33but where they are successful
00:37:34is when they get
00:37:35timely stops
00:37:36on the defensive end
00:37:37and they're able to play
00:37:38in free throw
00:37:39in transition.
00:37:43Galen Junis is out there
00:37:44for the first time.
00:37:45Hardaway trying to get away
00:37:46from the pesky Dosu Moon.
00:37:47He has put his fingerprints
00:37:49on this one early.
00:37:51Yeah, he's done
00:37:52a great job all year.
00:37:53I think just coming
00:37:53into himself,
00:37:54finding his role
00:37:55on his team,
00:37:56obviously on the offensive
00:37:57end of the floor,
00:37:58but defensively,
00:37:59he's a guy that can
00:38:00do all things.
00:38:00Coach lit up
00:38:01when he talked about him
00:38:03and what he can bring
00:38:04to this team
00:38:04and what they're going
00:38:05to need from him.
00:38:05Jokic and Valen Junis
00:38:07have combined
00:38:08for four turnovers
00:38:09of the seven of Denver.
00:38:10The three is down the hatch.
00:38:12A beautiful triple
00:38:13put up by Reed.
00:38:15And Nas Reed knocking it
00:38:17down from beyond the arc.
00:38:19He is taking his bench
00:38:21role seriously.
00:38:22Finishes a lot of games
00:38:23but really ignites this team
00:38:24on the offensive end.
00:38:27With a whistle
00:38:28and 10.41 to go
00:38:29in the first half.
00:38:31Nas Reed right here.
00:38:32Great Gobert screen
00:38:34comes off.
00:38:35It's free.
00:38:35Valen Junis up pressure
00:38:37in the ball.
00:38:38Allows Reed to set
00:38:39his feet and knock it down.
00:38:40Dosumu picks up his first.
00:38:44Good feed.
00:38:45Back outside.
00:38:47Hardaway three.
00:38:48Nice ball rotation.
00:38:50Denver got the shot
00:38:51they wanted.
00:38:51Well we talked to Timmy
00:38:53we talked to Timmy
00:38:53Senior before the game
00:38:54and he said his son
00:38:55was ready.
00:38:56He's had an incredible
00:38:57year this year
00:38:58with Denver.
00:38:58He's found a home
00:38:59and he looks good
00:39:00for this team.
00:39:04Another turnover.
00:39:09Brown.
00:39:10Who's played for a lot
00:39:11of teams in this league.
00:39:13Sets up from 16.
00:39:15Gobert the rebound.
00:39:16Conley the other way.
00:39:18Mike Conley in his
00:39:1920th season.
00:39:21Reed attacking.
00:39:22Saw the mismatch.
00:39:23He wanted to go right
00:39:24at Bruce Brown.
00:39:25Did and foul on Denver.
00:39:27Well Tim Hardaway
00:39:28I believe he understands
00:39:29his role on his team.
00:39:31You see when he get a chance
00:39:32he gets out of the open floor.
00:39:33He understands spacing
00:39:34on his team.
00:39:35But his job
00:39:36is to come in
00:39:37and shoot that ball
00:39:38and knock down shots
00:39:38for them.
00:39:43Timberwolves facing
00:39:44the Nuggets
00:39:45for the third time
00:39:47in the last four years
00:39:48in the playoffs.
00:39:50They played 28 times
00:39:52regular season
00:39:53in post.
00:39:5314 wins apiece.
00:39:55And the numbers,
00:39:56statistics,
00:39:57almost identical.
00:39:58That's right by Hyland.
00:39:59Can't get it.
00:40:00And then it finally
00:40:01will drop inside.
00:40:03Gobert with the tip.
00:40:04He's got four.
00:40:04And Bones Hyland
00:40:06putting his defender
00:40:07on skates
00:40:07getting into the rack.
00:40:08But when you draw big
00:40:10to come over and help
00:40:11at least Gobert
00:40:12to clean it up.
00:40:15here's Murray
00:40:17working through traffic
00:40:18facing Conley
00:40:19in the fadeaway.
00:40:23A career high
00:40:2425 points
00:40:25this season
00:40:25for Jamal Murray.
00:40:26I just love
00:40:27watching Murray
00:40:28run pick and rolls.
00:40:29Just his patience
00:40:30and understanding
00:40:31to know
00:40:32that he can get
00:40:32a shot off
00:40:33at any time
00:40:33he wants.
00:40:34It's just about
00:40:34getting to his spot
00:40:36and raising up
00:40:36and shooting.
00:40:37Just one of the best
00:40:37in the pick and roll
00:40:38in our league.
00:40:39Conley to Gobert
00:40:41over Balanchunitz
00:40:42who grabs the missed shot.
00:40:43So Murray
00:40:44just hit his first
00:40:45field goal moments ago
00:40:46and he's got the ball
00:40:47in his hand.
00:40:48Yes and these are
00:40:49Murray minutes.
00:40:50Right?
00:40:50Jokic is on the bench.
00:40:51They're going to need
00:40:52Murray to really
00:40:53initiate the offense
00:40:54and settle
00:40:55this team.
00:40:57Draw mismatches.
00:40:58You talk about
00:40:58disadvantaged creators.
00:41:00Murray three.
00:41:01No.
00:41:02Rebound.
00:41:02Brown.
00:41:03Yes.
00:41:04Brown.
00:41:23And then it's the others.
00:41:27It's the hustle plays.
00:41:28It's the extra effort.
00:41:30It's the second chance
00:41:30points that decide
00:41:32ballgames.
00:41:33Not only did
00:41:33Denver miss
00:41:35Bruce Brown
00:41:36but Bruce Brown
00:41:37missed Denver as well.
00:41:38And so it's so good
00:41:39to see him back
00:41:39and making an impact
00:41:40like he did a few years
00:41:41ago on a championship run.
00:41:43Bones Island
00:41:44picked up his first foul.
00:41:45Julius Randle
00:41:46back in the game.
00:41:47Two early fouls
00:41:49on the Minnesota forward.
00:41:51Conley.
00:41:52Point pass.
00:41:53Gobert.
00:41:53Finish.
00:41:54Foul.
00:41:54Conley.
00:41:56And I know
00:41:56we're giving Gobert
00:41:57credit on the defensive end
00:41:59but his activity
00:42:00on the offensive end
00:42:02we cannot overlook.
00:42:03Efficient
00:42:04leads the NBA
00:42:05in field goal percentage.
00:42:06He's doing a good job
00:42:07playing out of the pocket
00:42:08under control
00:42:09and finishing
00:42:10around the rim.
00:42:15Valanciunas
00:42:16picked up number one.
00:42:17Rudy Gobert
00:42:18is at the line.
00:42:19Minnesota as a team
00:42:23is 29th
00:42:24in free throw percentage
00:42:25as evidence right there.
00:42:27And Gobert
00:42:27one of the reasons
00:42:28why he gets to the line
00:42:31and they attempt
00:42:32the seventh most
00:42:33free throws.
00:42:34Murray.
00:42:34He's got another one.
00:42:36He's got two
00:42:37in the early stages
00:42:38from the floor
00:42:40in the second quarter.
00:42:44So Murray's got seven
00:42:46to lead the Nuggets.
00:42:48Three.
00:42:49Good!
00:42:49Dosumu!
00:42:51Back and forth.
00:42:53Back and forth.
00:42:54Dosumu
00:42:54obviously drawing
00:42:55the assignment
00:42:56defending Murray
00:42:57but right back at you.
00:42:59You can see
00:43:00the confidence
00:43:01in these guys.
00:43:02They played a lot of minutes
00:43:03without Ant on the floor
00:43:04and you can see
00:43:04that confidence
00:43:05in them right now.
00:43:06Murray working on Conley
00:43:07and fouled
00:43:09as he fired
00:43:09with 7.43 to go
00:43:11in the first half.
00:43:13Conley number one.
00:43:15Well, Cat,
00:43:15did you not continue
00:43:16to talk about it?
00:43:16Just his patience,
00:43:17his understanding
00:43:18that he can get to
00:43:19anywhere he wants
00:43:19with his spots
00:43:20and then his ability
00:43:21just to make the shot.
00:43:23And then Ayo
00:43:24on this end
00:43:25acquired at the
00:43:26trade deadline
00:43:27first playoff
00:43:28since Bulls
00:43:29his rookie year.
00:43:30He looks good early.
00:43:31David Edelman
00:43:32told us guys
00:43:33that Jamal Murray
00:43:34had a great mental season.
00:43:36Candice,
00:43:37what does that mean?
00:43:38Well, having a great
00:43:39mental season
00:43:40means that you know
00:43:41that you've prepared
00:43:42coming in.
00:43:43You put in the work.
00:43:45You've built
00:43:46the relationships.
00:43:46You've been the leader
00:43:47and you come in
00:43:48in a great space
00:43:49and I think your game
00:43:50follows that.
00:43:51I agree
00:43:52and also, too,
00:43:52it also means
00:43:53that everything
00:43:54in your personal life
00:43:55has fallen in place
00:43:56as well.
00:43:56There's a lot of things
00:43:57that goes on
00:43:58behind the scenes
00:43:59that no one sees
00:44:00in the arena
00:44:01but he said
00:44:01when his daughter's around
00:44:02he's just smiling.
00:44:04He's just in a great place
00:44:04and so his personal life
00:44:06matches everything
00:44:07that's going on
00:44:08on the court.
00:44:08And now it's shown
00:44:09he's had a career year.
00:44:11Absolutely.
00:44:12Just to add to that,
00:44:13Edelman said this summer
00:44:13he was at his best
00:44:14balancing everything
00:44:15mentally and physically.
00:44:16Not only did he do
00:44:17the necessary
00:44:17to keep in shape
00:44:18but he was present.
00:44:20He said that's a lost art.
00:44:21Edelman added
00:44:22the dinners.
00:44:23Planning team dinners.
00:44:24He did it all on his own.
00:44:25Jamal did.
00:44:25It mattered to him
00:44:26and when you combine
00:44:27that balance
00:44:28on and off the floor
00:44:28all of that collectively
00:44:30goes a long way
00:44:31and it's what we've seen
00:44:32from Jamal
00:44:32from start to finish
00:44:33in this all-star season, guys.
00:44:34Well, he's got it right now.
00:44:35He has scored nine.
00:44:36He leads the Nuggets.
00:44:38He's going up against
00:44:40the newly-instated
00:44:41DiVincenzo.
00:44:42Dancing, driving,
00:44:43throwing it up
00:44:44and a foul.
00:44:45So he is moving
00:44:46with every part of his body
00:44:48to get free
00:44:48the gambling wolves
00:44:50and again he's going to
00:44:51go to the line.
00:44:52Murray.
00:44:53Yes, Murray just taking
00:44:55it into his own hands
00:44:57and these are the
00:44:57non-Jokic minutes.
00:44:59So you understand
00:44:59that he's going to be featured.
00:45:01He's going to look
00:45:02and call his own number
00:45:03but he also is a threat
00:45:04in getting his other
00:45:06teammates involved
00:45:07as, again,
00:45:08the Nuggets shoot
00:45:0940% from deep.
00:45:11Murray right there
00:45:12to look at the upcoming
00:45:14playoff schedule.
00:45:15Coming up next on Prime,
00:45:17the third of our three today
00:45:18in this tripleheader,
00:45:19Hawks and Knicks.
00:45:20Then ABC tonight,
00:45:22Houston will be at the Lakers.
00:45:23ABC tomorrow in Boston,
00:45:26the Celtics will host
00:45:27the 76ers
00:45:29and the Suns
00:45:30after beating Golden State
00:45:31last night
00:45:32in the final play-in game.
00:45:34Game 1 against
00:45:35the defending champion
00:45:36Oklahoma City Thunder.
00:45:38NBC tomorrow,
00:45:39Orlando, Detroit,
00:45:41Portland, San Antonio.
00:45:42And for more on these games,
00:45:44go to NBA.com
00:45:45or visit the NBA app.
00:45:47Denver from the free-throw line,
00:45:49a terrific shooting team
00:45:50as we told you.
00:45:5113 of 14 so far.
00:45:53Edwards back in the game.
00:45:54Reed is down low.
00:45:56Three from Ant.
00:45:57No.
00:45:58Tipped.
00:45:58Out of bounds.
00:45:59It will be Minnesota's ball,
00:46:01at least the initial look
00:46:03at it was
00:46:04what the officials saw.
00:46:09And they change it.
00:46:11It's Denver's ball.
00:46:14Referees need a little
00:46:15teammates too.
00:46:16They need teammates
00:46:17to come in
00:46:17and help them out.
00:46:19There's a timeout
00:46:20on the floor.
00:46:21We're in the second quarter.
00:46:23The Wolves by three.
00:46:24You're watching
00:46:25the NBA playoffs
00:46:26presented by Google.
00:46:30Well, one of our concerns
00:46:32today going into this one
00:46:34is Anthony Edwards
00:46:35because he's been
00:46:36battling knee problems
00:46:37late in the season.
00:46:38What have you seen so far?
00:46:40Well, we watched him
00:46:41make his first shot
00:46:42of this game.
00:46:43And once he made
00:46:44that first shot, Candace,
00:46:45we watched him get
00:46:47that bounce in his step.
00:46:48And he was able
00:46:49to do everything
00:46:50that Anthers do.
00:46:51He missed 11, Candace,
00:46:53of the last 14 games
00:46:55in the regular season.
00:46:56Well, my first assessment,
00:46:5710 minutes in,
00:46:58obviously,
00:46:59rotation minutes
00:47:00a little bit different.
00:47:01Normally plays
00:47:01the whole first quarter.
00:47:03Today came out
00:47:03a little bit
00:47:04two minutes early.
00:47:04So we'll see
00:47:06how that impacts him
00:47:07later in the game.
00:47:08He just landed again
00:47:09after that leaping rebound
00:47:10and grimaced
00:47:11as he was crunching
00:47:13onto the ball.
00:47:15So Murray has
00:47:16eight of the last
00:47:1711 points for Denver.
00:47:18Here comes Edward
00:47:19trying to yoke it.
00:47:20You got off the bench
00:47:21with an offhand layup
00:47:22and a Minnesota lead
00:47:23of five.
00:47:25To be hobbled
00:47:26and to be able
00:47:27to explode that quickly,
00:47:28D-Wade,
00:47:28that is ridiculous.
00:47:30I was about to say,
00:47:31Candace,
00:47:31as Brown goes to the basket,
00:47:33I think it's important
00:47:34to point out
00:47:35that the knee injury
00:47:35that he's possibly
00:47:36dealing with
00:47:37is something
00:47:37that kind of
00:47:37lays doormat.
00:47:38It's not always on there.
00:47:40It's kind of come and go.
00:47:41And you can see it
00:47:42in moments
00:47:42where he feels explosive
00:47:43that that injury
00:47:44is not affecting it.
00:47:45I'm going to hit you
00:47:45on that point.
00:47:46Hardaway just picked up
00:47:47the foul.
00:47:48Is it like Curry's,
00:47:49like the runner's knee
00:47:50that they've been
00:47:50talking about?
00:47:51I think it's a lot
00:47:52of different varieties
00:47:53of it.
00:47:53I had some called
00:47:54Chondromalacia
00:47:55and it kind of laid
00:47:56under the kneecap
00:47:57and it just stayed there
00:47:58and it just affected me
00:47:59a lot.
00:47:59But also, too,
00:48:00it was moments
00:48:01where you did not feel it.
00:48:02If you kept it loose,
00:48:03you kept your muscles
00:48:04around it strong,
00:48:05you could still have
00:48:05those moments of explosion.
00:48:07Hardaway picked up
00:48:08the foul.
00:48:09Randall is at the line.
00:48:10Meanwhile,
00:48:1218 minutes into the game
00:48:13and Nikola Jokic
00:48:15has more turnovers,
00:48:17four,
00:48:18than he has points,
00:48:19three.
00:48:20Well, we asked
00:48:21Coach Finch
00:48:21before the game,
00:48:23how do you defend Jokic?
00:48:24And he said,
00:48:25well, you just win.
00:48:27They've won
00:48:28when he's had
00:48:28a 60-point triple-double.
00:48:30They've won
00:48:31when he has scored
00:48:3215 points.
00:48:33Obviously,
00:48:34early on,
00:48:35they're doing
00:48:35a great job
00:48:36on Jokic,
00:48:36but he doesn't
00:48:37lay dormant
00:48:38for very long.
00:48:42Cam Johnson.
00:48:44Edwards there.
00:48:46Jokic with the screen,
00:48:47the switch with Reed,
00:48:48the try to the rack.
00:48:50I love Cam Johnson's
00:48:52aggressiveness early.
00:48:55He was brought here
00:48:56to fill a big role
00:48:57with Michael Porter Jr.
00:48:59leaving.
00:48:59Could he knock down three?
00:49:00Struggled with his shot early,
00:49:02but has found
00:49:02his rhythm
00:49:03here in this first half.
00:49:05Minnesota in the
00:49:06second quarter
00:49:07has gone 5-10
00:49:08from the floor.
00:49:09Randall, three.
00:49:10Rebound Brown.
00:49:12Minnesota.
00:49:13That's a fourth rebound
00:49:14for Brown.
00:49:15Minnesota for the game,
00:49:1650%.
00:49:17And from the floor,
00:49:1937% for Denver.
00:49:20And Cam Johnson
00:49:22buries a three.
00:49:23Well, this is the
00:49:24Cam Johnson
00:49:25that everyone wanted
00:49:26and expected
00:49:26when he first got here.
00:49:27But with Eric Gordon
00:49:28out right now,
00:49:29Cam Johnson,
00:49:30Bruce Brown,
00:49:31Tim Hardaway Jr.,
00:49:32they're all stepping up
00:49:33in this moment
00:49:33with one of the main guys out.
00:49:35And Denver is leaving
00:49:39Randall from beyond the arc.
00:49:41Paying attention,
00:49:42obviously,
00:49:43to Anthony Edwards
00:49:44on the backside,
00:49:44but I think Randall's
00:49:45going to have to
00:49:46knock down some threes.
00:49:47Not off the dribble,
00:49:49but catch and shoot
00:49:50to loosen up
00:49:50the defense a little bit.
00:49:54Yokoch and Randall.
00:49:56Hardaway and Edwards.
00:49:58Hardaway.
00:49:58Brown.
00:49:59Corner.
00:50:00Three.
00:50:01No.
00:50:02The miss by Spencer Jones.
00:50:07There's a whistle.
00:50:094.41 to go.
00:50:11Reed has picked up
00:50:12the foul.
00:50:12Nas Reed
00:50:13has picked up
00:50:14number two.
00:50:18Nas Reed right here.
00:50:20Late foul call.
00:50:23Contesting
00:50:24after the shot
00:50:26with contact
00:50:27to the shooting hand.
00:50:28and they allow a high five.
00:50:31They don't allow you
00:50:32to come across the arm.
00:50:33They're trying to do that.
00:50:35Spencer's just got to like a
00:50:35kind of a
00:50:37unorthodox kind of form.
00:50:38And so he thought he was
00:50:39going off to the side,
00:50:40but his finish
00:50:41of his shot
00:50:42is off to the side.
00:50:43So that's a mistake
00:50:45Let's take a look
00:50:46at the live update
00:50:47presented by FanDuel
00:50:49with Jones at the line.
00:50:51Three free throws
00:50:53and the numbers right now.
00:50:55Spencer Jones
00:50:56is out of Stanford.
00:50:58And they converted
00:50:59his two-way contract
00:51:00to a standard contract
00:51:02in mid-February.
00:51:04He's been dealing
00:51:05with the hamstring.
00:51:07And Denver's
00:51:08on a seven-nothing run.
00:51:10And is this a good sign
00:51:11for Denver
00:51:12considering Jokic
00:51:13has four points
00:51:14in this game
00:51:14where you are still
00:51:16tied with Minnesota
00:51:17with your superstar
00:51:18not having his best shoulder.
00:51:20Edwards.
00:51:21Brown defends.
00:51:24Christian Brown
00:51:25trying to corral Edwards.
00:51:27A foul.
00:51:30It's tough, man.
00:51:33That is a full day's work
00:51:35trying to defend Edwards.
00:51:38So many counters,
00:51:40so many moves.
00:51:41There's nothing you can do.
00:51:42But you're trying to do
00:51:43everything possible
00:51:44right there.
00:51:45Just even give me
00:51:45a little jersey too
00:51:46so you can't get off.
00:51:49Brown picks up number one.
00:51:54I believe the playoffs
00:51:56are called a little different
00:51:57in the paint
00:51:58on the perimeter
00:51:59when there's contact.
00:52:00But if you're fouling
00:52:02jump shooters
00:52:02that's a foul
00:52:03in the regular season
00:52:04and that's a foul
00:52:05in the playoffs.
00:52:07Edwards there.
00:52:09Number three score.
00:52:11He averaged
00:52:1229 points a game
00:52:14Anthony Edwards did.
00:52:15That was a franchise record
00:52:16for a single season.
00:52:19Jokic.
00:52:20Three.
00:52:20Late close.
00:52:21Go play.
00:52:25It's the first Denver league
00:52:28since 4-3
00:52:29in the opening seconds.
00:52:31Edwards slashing,
00:52:33driving.
00:52:33Are you kidding me?
00:52:34I got it.
00:52:36Are you kidding me?
00:52:38Wow.
00:52:42Wow.
00:52:46He made the basket.
00:52:49Look at this change of speed.
00:52:51Look at this.
00:52:53Going up.
00:52:53Switch hands.
00:52:55Hangs in the air
00:52:56and gets to the rim.
00:52:58He looks fine.
00:52:59He looks fine.
00:52:59He will be
00:53:00irritated every now and again
00:53:01when you get toward it
00:53:02like that.
00:53:03Jokic
00:53:04by DiVincenzo
00:53:06into Brown
00:53:07and the other Brown
00:53:09can't get it.
00:53:10Christian had it low
00:53:11up top Bruce
00:53:12and they turn it over.
00:53:14Another Denver turnover
00:53:16in this game.
00:53:17Eight so far.
00:53:18And that's uncharacteristic
00:53:20for Denver
00:53:20who normally takes care
00:53:22of the basketball
00:53:23as Minnesota is thriving
00:53:2411-4 points off turnovers.
00:53:27Huge point.
00:53:28Good stand.
00:53:30Edwards.
00:53:32Facing traffic.
00:53:33Shot clocked at five.
00:53:35Edwards.
00:53:35The ball is getting stuck
00:53:37on one side of the court.
00:53:38Minnesota has to move the ball.
00:53:40DiVincenzo
00:53:41was in the corner
00:53:42wide open.
00:53:46Jokic
00:53:47and they again
00:53:47bring out Gobert
00:53:49with the defense
00:53:49and approaching
00:53:50three to play
00:53:51in the second.
00:53:52Can he just throw that
00:53:53to himself?
00:53:53Harlem Goldtrop
00:53:54is up in here.
00:53:56Bruce Brown
00:53:56spring Gobert.
00:53:59It'll go on him.
00:54:00Brown drives.
00:54:01And out of bounds.
00:54:05Possession gone.
00:54:06Wolves by one.
00:54:07They've led by 12.
00:54:12There's a timeout
00:54:13on the floor
00:54:14and 2.55 to go.
00:54:16It's game one.
00:54:17The Timberwolves
00:54:19and Nuggets
00:54:19on prime.
00:54:22A key to this series
00:54:23is this matchup
00:54:24right here.
00:54:25Gobert at 7'1
00:54:26against the Joker
00:54:28and early on
00:54:28Gobert being active
00:54:30causing some problems
00:54:31for the Joker.
00:54:33Four turnovers
00:54:34because of his activity.
00:54:36But you know what?
00:54:37You can't keep someone
00:54:38like Joker
00:54:39who averages
00:54:3935-15-11
00:54:42against Minnesota
00:54:43this season
00:54:43down so long.
00:54:45Two of three
00:54:45from beyond the arc.
00:54:46He's knocking it down.
00:54:47He's doing a little bit
00:54:48of this.
00:54:48But like you said
00:54:49he got going
00:54:50because he started
00:54:51getting others involved
00:54:52and then
00:54:53the ball came to him.
00:54:54If you want to dive
00:54:56deeper into this
00:54:57or any NBA
00:54:58playoff topic
00:54:59ask AI Mode
00:55:01in Google Search.
00:55:03So the Nuggets
00:55:04have nine turnovers
00:55:05and as you said
00:55:07Jokic has four of them.
00:55:09And Dwayne
00:55:10the Nuggets
00:55:11have the third
00:55:11fewest turnovers
00:55:12a game
00:55:13in the NBA
00:55:14but they turned it over
00:55:15a lot here
00:55:16to begin this one.
00:55:16Yeah I'm not overly
00:55:17concerned if Jokic
00:55:18is the one
00:55:19turning the ball over.
00:55:20I mean he's the one
00:55:20that's going to have
00:55:21the ball a lot.
00:55:21He knows how to
00:55:23make the right reads
00:55:23but let's give credit
00:55:24to Rudy.
00:55:25Rudy is really
00:55:26really active
00:55:26on the defensive end
00:55:28of the floor
00:55:29and he's just
00:55:29switching up
00:55:29his coverage
00:55:30a little bit
00:55:30and he'll throw
00:55:31Jokic off a little bit.
00:55:33Randall
00:55:33goes inside
00:55:35on Jones
00:55:35and gets it to go.
00:55:38And that's a great sign.
00:55:40Minnesota needs
00:55:41Randall to get
00:55:42to the paint.
00:55:43Yes catch and shoot
00:55:44can be a part
00:55:44of his game
00:55:45but where he
00:55:46makes this offense
00:55:47better
00:55:47is doing things
00:55:48like that.
00:55:50Minnesota's got
00:55:51their starters
00:55:51out there.
00:55:52Jokic across the lane
00:55:53it's a three
00:55:54from outside
00:55:55and it goes
00:55:55right down.
00:55:56Spencer Jones
00:55:57puts it in
00:55:58a 39%
00:55:59three point shooter.
00:56:00See I'm not
00:56:01worried about Jokic
00:56:02because he's
00:56:03going to make
00:56:03the right play
00:56:04more times than not.
00:56:05Every so often
00:56:06when you are
00:56:06a guy like that
00:56:07you do force
00:56:08a few things
00:56:09and you make
00:56:09a few mistakes.
00:56:11Randall with the miss
00:56:12he's gone
00:56:12two of seven
00:56:15with Jokic
00:56:16on top
00:56:16and Murray
00:56:18falling
00:56:19with manuals
00:56:20was right there.
00:56:21You know
00:56:22Dwayne you said
00:56:23something during the
00:56:23last break
00:56:24that was interesting
00:56:24and you said
00:56:25this to start
00:56:25the game too
00:56:26role players
00:56:27for both teams
00:56:29would be players
00:56:30you would watch
00:56:30with interest today.
00:56:31Well especially
00:56:32at home Kevin
00:56:33you know
00:56:34this game
00:56:34won at home
00:56:35right now
00:56:35this crowd
00:56:36is
00:56:37it's pandemonium
00:56:38in here
00:56:38and use that
00:56:39let's use that
00:56:40let's use the fact
00:56:41that you woke up
00:56:42in your own bed
00:56:42the comforts
00:56:43to allow you
00:56:44to come out here
00:56:44and feel comfortable
00:56:45in this game
00:56:46and so Jokic
00:56:46don't need
00:56:47to put on
00:56:48a big performance
00:56:48early because
00:56:49these guys
00:56:49have the confidence
00:56:51in this first game.
00:56:52Daniels just picked up
00:56:53his second personal foul
00:56:55as the sumu
00:56:56checks back in
00:56:57for the role.
00:56:58And it looked like
00:56:58Jamal Murray
00:56:59may have just
00:57:00slipped on that play.
00:57:02I thought so too.
00:57:03Upset at the foul call
00:57:04but again
00:57:05now Nugget's
00:57:06in the bonus.
00:57:09and Murray
00:57:10at the line
00:57:11an 84%
00:57:12free throw shooter.
00:57:14I feel like
00:57:15Denver has been
00:57:16the aggressor
00:57:16on the offensive end
00:57:17and it started
00:57:18with Aaron Gordon
00:57:19in early transition
00:57:20just putting a lot
00:57:21of pressure on them
00:57:22and so
00:57:22the rest is calling
00:57:23the game
00:57:24towards Denver's
00:57:24aggression.
00:57:26This right here
00:57:27that play right there
00:57:29is full display
00:57:29of what McDaniels
00:57:30has grown into
00:57:31this year.
00:57:32They put Ant
00:57:32in the corner
00:57:33and McDaniels
00:57:34initiates the offense
00:57:35and serves as a
00:57:36playmaker.
00:57:37Murray got a great
00:57:38screen on top
00:57:39by Jokic
00:57:40and it lingered
00:57:40and he had the
00:57:41space to fire.
00:57:47It's McDaniels
00:57:48double.
00:57:50Dosumu's on top.
00:57:51Edwards on the wing.
00:57:53Points off turnovers
00:57:54have been huge.
00:57:57So far in this one
00:57:58a drive.
00:57:59McDaniels
00:58:00the reverse is down.
00:58:01What a play.
00:58:02And another
00:58:03evidence of growth
00:58:04for Minnesota.
00:58:05Ant sees two.
00:58:06Gets off the ball.
00:58:07The ball finds McDaniels
00:58:09and he attacks the
00:58:09closeout.
00:58:10We talked about that
00:58:11being one of the most
00:58:12important keys for
00:58:13Anthony Edwards.
00:58:14What are you going to
00:58:14do when they put two
00:58:15on the ball?
00:58:16Are you going to stay
00:58:16on it or are you going
00:58:17to get off of it?
00:58:18That was a prime
00:58:18example right there
00:58:19of getting off of it.
00:58:20What a collision.
00:58:21It was Dosumu and
00:58:22Murray in time.
00:58:25With 52 seconds to go
00:58:27on the first half.
00:58:28We sound like a broken
00:58:29record.
00:58:30McDaniels growth.
00:58:32McDaniels initiating,
00:58:32playmaking, all of those
00:58:34things.
00:58:34Rudy Gobert being
00:58:35active right here.
00:58:37Not settling for the
00:58:38three.
00:58:38Attacking the closeout,
00:58:40getting in there.
00:58:40And so that is what
00:58:42builds Ant's trust.
00:58:43When guys outside of you
00:58:44that are catching and
00:58:46making definitive plays,
00:58:48that helps the offense.
00:58:49Murray now has 13 points
00:58:51for Denver in this
00:58:53quarter.
00:58:54Today, the NBA on
00:58:56prime from the Rockies
00:58:58is brought to you by
00:59:01Lilly, a medicine company.
00:59:15Here comes Edwards.
00:59:20Go bare the screen.
00:59:22He'll run the ball.
00:59:23Here goes the back-pedaling
00:59:25three.
00:59:27DiVincenzo right between
00:59:28the eyes.
00:59:29He's got three threes in
00:59:30the first half.
00:59:31And Dante, known for big
00:59:33games, came up big for
00:59:35Nova, did it for the
00:59:37Knicks, and he's doing it
00:59:38today.
00:59:39You talked about it,
00:59:40Kansas.
00:59:40First two shots to win
00:59:41the end, so the rim is
00:59:42his open form, and you
00:59:43just saw it right there.
00:59:44He got a broken play.
00:59:45Christian Brown, the
00:59:46second three.
00:59:47Yes, Brown saw the ball
00:59:50go in early.
00:59:51Now knocks it down.
00:59:52You said it earlier.
00:59:53Only shoots 30% from
00:59:55beyond the arc.
00:59:56One of the few leads,
00:59:57the Nuggets have had
00:59:58in the first half.
00:59:59Now by two, equaling
01:00:00their biggest.
01:00:01It's Go bare in stride.
01:00:03The heroes tap in the
01:00:04deuce.
01:00:05He's in his butt.
01:00:06He's in his bag.
01:00:09Go bare is down.
01:00:10Yoke gets the other way.
01:00:12Time to maneuver over
01:00:13Edwards.
01:00:14At the buzzer.
01:00:15And we are tied at
01:00:1762.
01:00:20A terrific first half.
01:00:23As Denver outscored the
01:00:26Wolves by 10 in the
01:00:28second quarter.
01:00:30Murray, a 14-point second
01:00:33quarter for the Nuggets.
01:00:35Halftime coming up,
01:00:36presented by AT&T, with
01:00:38Taylor Blake, Steve Dirk,
01:00:40and Udonis.
01:00:41A lot to talk about.
01:00:42The middle game of three on
01:00:44prime.
01:00:46These two teams meeting in the
01:00:49playoffs for the third time
01:00:50in four years.
01:00:51The Denver Nuggets, the
01:00:53Minnesota Timberwolves.
01:00:54You're watching the NBA
01:00:56playoffs on prime.
01:01:06Dented by AT&T.
01:01:10Halftime in Denver.
01:01:12The Timberwolves and Nuggets are
01:01:13tied at 62, and we have got a
01:01:16game.
01:01:16Everything we thought it was
01:01:17going to be.
01:01:18Welcome in.
01:01:19I'm Taylor Rips with Dirk, Steve,
01:01:21Fiji, and UD.
01:01:22Denver trailed by as much as 12 in
01:01:24the first quarter.
01:01:25Got right back in it, outscoring
01:01:26the Wolves, 39-29 in the second.
01:01:28But Jokic, just six points,
01:01:30four shots at the half, seven
01:01:32assists.
01:01:32What's working defensively
01:01:34against the former MVP?
01:01:35Well, to me, it's the
01:01:36defensive intensity out of
01:01:37Minnesota Timberwolves, and
01:01:38not just the team, but Rudy
01:01:39Gobert specifically.
01:01:40I think he's doing his work
01:01:41early.
01:01:42Majority of the time he
01:01:43settles behind, he likes to
01:01:44use his height, but if you
01:01:45see right here, he does his
01:01:46work early.
01:01:47And another thing he's
01:01:47doing, he's using his hands
01:01:49actively to disrupt the
01:01:50Joker as he dribbles and get
01:01:51into his crab dribble.
01:01:52That's something he hasn't
01:01:53really done before.
01:01:54So as Joker gets into his
01:01:55crab dribble, he's really
01:01:56disrupting his rhythm right
01:01:57there.
01:01:58You see he does it again.
01:01:59He gets there, he puts it
01:02:00down, and he's using his
01:02:01hands, not just his size.
01:02:02So I think him doing his
01:02:04work early, making it tough,
01:02:05the catch is tough of a
01:02:06Joker, getting out and doing
01:02:07things like that, and also
01:02:08the smaller guys, they're
01:02:10putting pressure on him too.
01:02:10So I like what they're doing
01:02:12right now.
01:02:12Joker only has four points,
01:02:14but he has seven assists.
01:02:15He's making the right play,
01:02:16and his other guys getting
01:02:17going, Dirk.
01:02:18Yeah, I thought Denham had a
01:02:20slug start, started off two
01:02:21for 12.
01:02:22I thought they got going there
01:02:24with Jamal Murray in the
01:02:25second quarter, the non-Yokic
01:02:26minutes, they were plus seven,
01:02:28and Jamal, we know that.
01:02:29When Joker goes out, he takes
01:02:31his game to another level.
01:02:32He's more aggressive, looking
01:02:34to shoot, looking at the paint,
01:02:36got to the free throw line a
01:02:37bunch of times that quarter.
01:02:38He had 14 points this quarter,
01:02:40really carrying him there, got
01:02:42to the line whenever he wanted,
01:02:43got to his mid-range, tough
01:02:44shot here, step back.
01:02:45So that's what he does.
01:02:47He knows when to.
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