After falling behind 3-1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Denver Nuggets should be kicking themselves. After all, they put themselves in this position. The Nuggets could have avoided playing the Timberwolves had they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in their final game of the regular season.
That would have paired them up with the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, whom the Nuggets match up much better against. The trade-off is that they would have faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
However, with news that Thunder star Jalen Williams is out for a couple of weeks, they wouldn't be facing OKC at full strength. Instead, Denver is playing a team that clearly has their number.
The Denver Nuggets should've avoided the Minnesota Timberwolves
Superstar Nikola Jokic simply hasn't been the same player that we all have come to expect. In Game 2, he was held to just 10 points on 2-8 shooting.
In Game 3, he did post 27 points and 15 rebounds, but it took 26 shots to do so. Lastly, in Game 4, Jokic was held to just 24 points on 22 shots before being ejected.
That type of efficiency simply isn't going to cut it in the playoffs. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert deserves all the praise for helping to disrupt Jokic, and the three-time MVP has yet to respond.
He better do so soon because Game 5 will also be an elimination game. That gives the Timberwolves a chance to advance, putting Denver in a bind. Even though Donte Divincenzo and Anthony Edward are both now out for the series.
The Nuggets are fighting for their playoff lives against the Wolves
The Nuggets can absolutely win a playoff game at home, but given how they've played in Game 2, Game 3, and Game 4, that doesn't appear likely. That doesn't bode well for their chances.
Their heading back to the Mile High City down 1-3 is a depressing turn of events for a team many thought was a sleeper contender. Odds are, they won't beat the Wolves three times before Minnesota wins one more game.
Nevertheless, their goal should be to win Game 5 and force the Wolves to try to close them out in Minnesota. Otherwise, the wolves would have to play Game 7 back in Denver, putting the pressure on them.
That makes Game 5, say it with me, a must-win. To think, the Nuggets could have avoided all of this had they simply lost to the Spurs in the second round. Now, the Nuggets may not make the second round. Go figure.
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