Technically, the Denver Nuggets haven’t made the playoffs just yet, but you’d might as well start the playoffs for the Nuggets as they get ready for a one-game, play-in situation against the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night in Minnesota.
Win and they’re in. Lose and the Nuggets will miss the postseason for the fifth straight year.
Discussing the match up between the Nuggets and Timberwolves with Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro of Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 is the voice of the Timberwolves, Dave Benz.
Benz says the Timberwolves may not be the third-seed quality that they boasted for a majority of the season because of Jimmy Butler returning from injury just a week ago, but the Nuggets will certainly see a very prepared team.
“I wouldn’t say that they’re facing the team that was the third seed for most of the season because Jimmy [Butler’s] been back a week…you’re also not facing the team that has been a meddling .500 team losing games to the Memphis Grizzlies on their home floor,” Benz said. “Probably somewhere in between. They’re going to get a team that’s very focused. The Timberwolves haven’t been to the playoffs in 13 consecutive years.”
Benz also discussed the difference makers on each team and what both clubs need to do, to punch their ticket to the playoffs.
“The Timberwolves will win if Andrew Wiggins comes to the party,” Benz stated. “I believe Jimmy Butler will do his thing and he’s going to put in a solid night. Karl Anthony-Townes has been fantastic and really carried the team when Butler was out…He’s just been in a funk. He’s a guy they gave a max deal too.”
It’s that max-deal player potential that Benz thinks — if Wiggins shows up — can win the game for the Timberwolves.
“If Andrew can play in any simulance of being a max-player guy, then the Timberwolves can have a pretty good night.”
“I think the Nuggets win if they come out and do what they do with a balanced attack…If Denver can hit some threes, the Timberwolves just are not capable of keeping up with teams that can knock down threes. That really is what killed the Timberwolves in the match up at the Pepsi center last week.”
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