Timberwolves Look to Extend Lead in Pivotal Game 4 Against Nuggets

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who lead their Western Conference second-round series 2-1 following a decisive 117-90 victory in the first game, will host the Denver Nuggets in a crucial Game 4. The Nuggets were paced by Nikola Jokic’s 24-point outburst, while Anthony Edwards scored 19 points to lead the Timberwolves.

Minnesota has leaned significantly on their defense, ranking third in the conference with 34.2 defensive rebounds per game. This season, Minnesota has a great 37-15 record against teams in the Western Conference. With an average of 9.2 rebounds per game, their defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert has been a major contributor to their success.

The Nuggets, on the other side, have a 10-6 record but have struggled against teams in the Northwest Division. They do, however, have a 6-6 record in one-possession games, demonstrating their tenacity in close games.

In this context, the struggle from beyond the arc will be vital. Compared to the Nuggets’ 11.2 3-pointers allowed per game, the Timberwolves average 12.6 made 3-pointers per game. But Denver also has a strong long-range shooting offense; they average 11.7 made 3-pointers per game, which is just higher than the Timberwolves’ 11.4 defensive average.

There are important ramifications for both teams in this game. The Timberwolves have a chance to overwhelm the Nuggets with a 3-1 lead and apply tremendous pressure. On the other hand, a Denver win would level the series and turn the tide in their favor.

Game 4 looks to be an interesting and hotly-contested match because both teams have strong offenses and resilient defenses. Whichever team can enforce their style of play and take advantage of their opponent’s flaws will probably determine the outcome. Fans should expect an exciting matchup between these two Western Conference heavyweights as the series progresses.