Denver secures a big Game 3 road win to trim its series deficit to 2-1.
MINNEAPOLIS — Can a home team finally bring the crowd to life and also bring some common sense to this Western Conference semifinal series?
It’s 0-3 for the hosts so far, with the Timberwolves hoping to stop that slide Sunday and take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Nuggets in the process.
No matter the result, this game shouldn’t lack for intensity, because the stakes are potentially massive. A Nuggets win would invite a different conversation and perhaps put the defending champs in a comfort zone. A Wolves win would put this franchise on the doorstep of the conference finals for only the second time in history.
Here are four things to look for in Game 4 (8 p.m. ET, TNT):
1. Does Jamal Murray’s health hold up?
The Nuggets were up 27 points Friday, a lead that would soon grow to 30, with seven minutes left in a game in which they were never threatened. And Murray was still on the floor.
And moments later, during a brief stoppage in play, Murray reached down to massage his problematic left calf muscle.
This was a moment that could return to haunt the Nuggets if Murray suffers an injury relapse in Game 4. Because: Why was he still in the game? And: He only had one day, as opposed to three between Games 2 and 3, to recover in time for Sunday.
Aside from that questionable decision, coach Michael Malone’s Game 3 handling of Murray was solid. The Nuggets used Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Nikola Jokic to bring the ball over the mid-court line, sparing Murray from being picked up full court by the Wolves’ Jaden McDaniels, whose length and quickness gave Murray fits.
Also, the Nuggets went to Murray early and often, helping him regain a confidence level that was shaken by his poor Game 2, when he shot 3-for-18 and threw a heating pad on the court.
The outcome of this series could very well hinge on Murray’s health, and again, he won’t have the luxury of ample time off between games anymore. It’s just one day from here — along with travel.
2. Anthony Edwards bringing energy
The young star has shown plenty of ability throughout these playoffs, and then, following Minnesota’s Game 3 loss, he displayed accountability.
“It’s on me, I’ll take the blame for this loss. I came out with no energy at all. I can’t afford to do that for my team. I let my team, coaches and fans down,” he said.
Three thoughts: Ant showed refreshing leadership for a 22-year-old, he was hardly to blame for Friday’s blowout loss, and why do athletes often admit a lack of “energy” in games of magnitude? Unless they’re injured or distracted by off-court issues, shouldn’t professionals always play hard?
Anyway, with this apology, he indirectly sent a chilling warning to the Nuggets, who should expect to see more from Edwards. That’s an intimidating scenario regarding a player who sizzled through the first six games of this post-season and elevated his game a few levels.
Even more, with an energetic start Sunday, Edwards can accomplish two very important tasks — engage the home crowd and get his teammates to follow his lead. If that happens, it’ll be tough for the Nuggets to deny the Wolves a 3-1 series lead.
“He’s as confident as anyone you meet,” said Wolves guard Mike Conley. “He takes every loss personal … he’s gonna take it personal and be ready to go Sunday.”
3. Aaron Gordon spreading the floor
The Nuggets ordinarily would not want Gordon spending his time standing in the corner or taking more than a few 3-point shots.
Well: The Nuggets were better off in Game 3 when Gordon did both.
That’s hardly his strength; Gordon shot 29% this season from that distance (32 for his career) and opposing teams often leave him open, begging him to shoot.
When he made early 3s Friday, it forced the Wolves to adjust and ease their strategy of doubling constantly on Nikola Jokic and Murray. As a result, Murray wasn’t trapped as much and found room to roam and reach his spots for mid-range jumpers.
It’ll be tricky for the Nuggets to keep positioning Murray in the corner because reality could return and he won’t shoot 3-for-5 from deep. But it’s worth a try. And besides, Gordon is sneaky in that spot; he often rushes to the rim and catches lobs from Jokic for easy dunks.
In a make-or-miss league, the Nuggets gain bonus points whenever the percentages are in Murray’s favor when he takes aim from deep, because he’s the only starter who doesn’t spread the floor well.
4. Minnesota’s defensive rebound
Was this a temporary lapse, or was Minnesota’s defensive code cracked by the Nuggets, who scored 117 points in Game 3?
Let’s go with the former, only because the Wolves owned the No. 1 defensive rating all season and actually raised their intensity since then. It was the most playoff points allowed by the Wolves, and the Nuggets also shot 54% overall, 48 from deep.
The Wolves in the first two games managed to stifle the screen-and-roll with Jokic and Murray and also keep Michael Porter Jr., from spraying 3-pointers, as he did against the Lakers in round one. The Wolves’ strategy was sound and executed with near perfection.
But the referees also allowed the Wolves freedom to tighten up the double teams and perhaps escape with minimal penalties for touch contact. That wasn’t the case in Game 3; Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert each dealt with foul issues.
“We have to do a better job of understanding how the game’s going to be called for that particular night,” Conley said. “The last game, it was physical … that favors us.”
The Nuggets are clever and experienced enough to adjust on the fly. The Wolves must do the same. And the Wolves know what they’re up against.
“This is our biggest challenge,” Conley said. “We know who they are. We’re gonna have to fight for this one.”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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