Nuggets Melt Against the Wolves; Loses Twice at Home

If you are a stats person, you'll find the Minnesota Timberwolves ranked number one with having the best defensive rating as a team this 2024 NBA season. Allowing their opponents to score an average of only 108.4 points a contest, it isn't shocking that their guards were smiling playing suffocating D against the defending champions and devoured them twice at Denver’s homecourt to take full control of their Western Conference semifinals leading the best of seven series 2-0.

In game 2 alone, where the Wolves dominated the Nuggets 106-80, their guards pounced Jamal Murray like a quivering prey.  Their intense defense forced him to miss 15 of 18 shots and finished with just eight points and two assists in 36 minutes of play. Desperate for answers, the Nuggets star is facing backlash for his despicable behavior during Game 2.

 A frustrated Murray was caught on camera throwing a heat pack from the bench onto the court during gameplay. The incident, which was called by Wolves coach Chris Finch as "dangerous" and "inexcusable” is now under investigation and could warrant a game suspension to a hefty fine.

Timberwolves stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns led all scorers with 27 points each in game 2 but it was their defense that took centerstage as Denver struggled mightily shooting just 34.9% from the field and turning the ball over 19 times. Minnesota also blocked 12 shots even when Rudy Gobert is MIA. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and his girlfriend welcomed their first child and was not able to fly back in time for the tip-off.

The series now heads to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday, May 10 and will be broadcasted live at ESPN starting at 6:30PM PST.