Denver Nuggets: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season
By Ty Delbridge
5. Losing to the Timberwolves in overtime in the last game
After a crazy Western Conference playoff race, the Nuggets needed a win in their last game of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves to reach the 2018 NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets came into the game winners of six straight and forced their way into an elimination game on the last day.
The Nuggets and Timberwolves were both fighting for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs in both of their last games of the season. Both teams came into the game looking to end playoff droughts. The last time the Nuggets made the playoffs was in 2013, and last time the Timberwolves made the playoffs was in 2004.
The Nuggets headed to Minnesota for a high-pressure matchup. Both teams knew the importance of this game, and they came out firing from the tipoff. After a very intense, back-and-forth game, the Nuggets and Timberwolves headed to overtime tied at 101.
In overtime, the Timberwolves jumped ahead of the Nuggets to win the game 112-106. The Timberwolves scored 11 points while the Nuggets only scored five. The Nuggets went 2-of-8 from the field, 1-of-4 from the 3-point line and shot zero free throw attempts. The Timberwolves went 2-of-5 from the field, 0-for-2 from the 3-point line and went 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
The Wolves were aggressive getting to the hoop, and Jimmy Butler could not be stopped in overtime. He scored seven points and got to the free throw line six times, hitting five of them. The Nuggets had a hard time getting good, open looks in OT and only drew one foul.
The Nuggets controlled their destiny in this final game of the season and had plenty of chances to get a win in Minnesota and secure a playoff spot. Both teams were pretty even the entire game, and the Nuggets had the better rebounding and 3-point shooting numbers. They had four more turnovers than the Timberwolves and got to the free throw line seven fewer times. The little things in this game hurt the Nuggets, and they now have the entire summer to think about them.