When I asked Michael Malone about Rivalry Week and if the Denver Nuggets have any rival in the NBA, the only team Malone mentioned by name was the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now, rivalries are different in the NBA than they were historically, something Malone made sure to use as a caveat. Still, Nuggets vs Timberwolves constitutes a rivalry in my eyes. Division rival. Similar timeline of success. Familiar ties. Bad blood. Playoff History. It checks a lot of boxes, and it’s one of the final Rivalry Week matchups on ABC today.

The Nuggets haven’t defeated the Timberwolves since Game 5 of the playoffs back in May. Can they reverse course on the road in a hostile environment?

Let’s delve into the Minnesota Timberwolves matchup:

Denver Nuggets @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Starting Lineups

Denver: Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Nikola Jokic

Minnesota: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert

Key Bench Players

Denver: Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon, DeAndre Jordan

Minnesota: Rob Dillingham, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid

Notable Injuries

Denver: Vlatko Cancar – OUT, DaRon Holmes II – OUT

Minnesota: Anthony Edwards – QUESTIONABLE, Donte DiVincenzo – OUT, Terrence Shannon Jr. – OUT

Key for the Nuggets – Bring the Energy

So often in matchups like these, a primetime matchup against a rival, the team that “wants it” more and brings more energy and aggression to the game is the one that takes it. Against the Timberwolves last year, the Nuggets were too often back on their heels receiving haymaker after haymaker in the form of forced turnovers and transition points.

In previous seasons, the Nuggets were more of an “we will execute the game plan better than you” kind of team. This year, Russell Westbrook and Christian Braun have shifted that identity a bit. They attack, on both ends of the floor, and the Nuggets are often playing downhill, physical basketball more often than before. Bringing that element to this matchup against a team that has bullied Denver with physicality in the past could be a big deal. Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels want to get as physical with Jamal Murray as possible. Julius Randle is going to put his head down. Rudy Gobert is going to mix in strength and power with technical defense against Nikola Jokic.

If Denver wins the physicality battle, they will probably win the game.

Important Matchup – Jamal Murray vs Anthony Edwards

There’s an argument for Jokic vs Gobert, Porter vs Randle, even Aaron Gordon vs Naz Reid. Let’s stick with what we know though: Jamal Murray scored six points the last time these two teams faced each other, exiting at halftime after sustaining a concussion from contact with Randle. The rest of the Nuggets starters played well in his place to make up for his absence, but Denver just didn’t have enough from their bench in that game.

Murray can change that. He’s going to stagger with the second unit, and he’s going to run two-man game with Jokic at times. The Nuggets could use some on-ball scoring off the dribble in this game, and Murray’s impact will have to be felt for the Nuggets to win.

On the other side, it’s Anthony Edwards. he will probably guard Murray at times, and he will seek out Murray on switches and go at the Nuggets guard. Can Murray hold up in isolation defense against the younger Edwards? If not, can Murray at least pay it back on the other end and stay involved while Edwards and others guard him?

Number of the Day – 43

That’s the number of times Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert have played against each other in their NBA careers. Gobert has mostly dominated the regular season matchups with a 16-9 record against Jokic. In the playoffs, Jokic is 11-7 against Gobert across three separate playoff series.

In his career, Jokic has averaged 21.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game on a 63.2 True Shooting % in games vs Gobert. Jokic’s career per game statistics of 21.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists on a 63.6 True Shooting % are not so different.

Nugget who should have a good game: Michael Porter Jr.

The Nuggets probably aren’t changing their starting lineup in this game, which means Gordon will be coming off the bench and Porter will be starting at power forward. He will be going against Julius Randle which will be a bit scary on the defensive end. Randle’s going to try and play some bully ball and draw some fouls early. If Porter can avoid foul trouble though, he’s well positioned to have a good offensive game, spacing the floor while Gobert is left to contend with Jokic by himself. Gobert can do that better than most centers, but the Wolves will have to bring some help at some point.

If that help comes from Randle, Porter will be open on the perimeter. Porter’s shooting “only” 37.7% from three in his last 10 games, and I think he’s due.