The Denver Nuggets dropped Game 2 at home in disappointing fashion. They fumbled a 19-point first half lead after a lengthy stretch of stagnant offense and shaky defense.Â
Ultimately, the blow lead can be the most to blame for the Nuggets loss. Denver missed out on a golden opportunity to snag Game 2 and head to Minnesota up 2-0 in the series.Â
On the other hand, the Timberwolves are still dealing with a hobbled Anthony Edwards â another reason the Nuggets should have two wins instead of one! â who has been dealing with runnerâs knee since the final weeks of the regular season.Â
Edwards, 24, was inefficient in Game 1, including a minimally productive second-half. In Game 2, Edwards had brought more energy but still struggled to shoot a strong percentage from the field.Â
But it was his table-setting and playmaking that made the ultimate difference.Â
Edwards identified a double-team and expertly bounced a pass to sharpshooting teammate Donte DiVincezo, who hit the biggest 3-pointer of the night.Â
After the Nuggets squandered a 20-point lead against the Timberwolves in the series-deciding game two years ago â the largest blown lead in a Game 7 in NBA history â they effectively had a repeat showing Monday night.Â
Denver Nuggets Hoping for Defensive Boost as Series Shifts Cities
Before Game 1âs tipoff, many in the basketball world were ready to call this first round series the best of any opening round matchup in this yearâs playoffs.
Denver and Minnesota have had some classic games over recent years. This spring marks the third time in four years both franchises have met in the postseason.Â
The Nuggets ousted the Wolves in five games in 2023. In the following playoffs, Minnesota exacted revenge by knocking out Denver in a Game 7 in the Mile High City.Â
For the Nuggets to feel better about their chances of advancing this postseason, theyâll need to figure out a better defensive game plan. Theyâve struggled to guard in meaningful stretches in the two games played so far this series.Â
GettyDavid Adelman is the head coach of the Denver Nuggets.
Denver has shuffled defensive assignments on Edwards, but fourth-year pro Christian Braun has been the primary defender. But thatâs only because the Nuggets are without perhaps their best point-of-attack defender in Peyton Watson.
Watson, 23, has dealt with a hamstring strain on two separate occasions this season, the latest setback coming late last month as the Nuggets were gearing up for the playoffs.
Watson initially strained his hamstring in early February, so it has been nearly three months since he has gotten to string together consistent availability.Â
Whatâs the Latest on the Rising Starâs Injury?
Watson missed Games 1 and 2. He has been participating in isolated activities during Nuggets practice as he attempts to ramp back up.Â
According to ESPN, the Nuggets revealed today they expect Watson will remain out as the series shifts to Minnesota, but the team is hopeful the 23-year-old star will return sometime in the first round.
âThe Nuggets are without fourth-year wing Peyton Watson, one of their better perimeter defenders and shot blockers,â ESPN wrote. âHe is dealing with a hamstring strain and worked off to the side at Wednesday’s practice. [Nuggets head coach David] Adelman said that the hope is to get Watson back in this series at some point but that the expectation is he will remain out for Game 3.â
In the last 30 meetings between the Nuggets and Wolves, each time has 15 victories. It doesnât get more closely contested than that.Â
Regaining Watson, who averaged 14.6 points per game on over 49% shooting from the field in the regular season, would be a huge boost for Denver, but this series has all the makings of heading toward a sixth or seventh game.Â
Game 3 is set to tip off at Target Center at 8:30 p.m on Thursday.Â
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