It’s time. The Nuggets have has three days off, but that’s about to change.

Let’s delve into the final Minnesota Timberwolves matchup:

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Starting Lineups

Denver: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

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

Key Bench Players

Denver: Jalen Pickett, Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Jordan

Minnesota: Rob Dillingham, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaylen Clark, Luka Garza

Notable Injuries

Denver: Nikola Jokic – PROBABLE, Jamal Murray – QUESTIONABLE, Aaron Gordon – QUESTIONABLE, Christian Braun – PROBABLE, Julian Strawther – OUT, DaRon Holmes II – OUT

Minnesota: Donte DiVincezo – SUSPENDED, Naz Reid – SUSPENDED, Terrence Shannon Jr. – OUT

Key for the Nuggets – Show some backbone

Yesterday at practice, Michael Malone was asked if he sees this matchup as a rivalry now after previously classifying Denver has having no rivalries.

He wasn’t happy to hear the question, saying: “We just gotta play harder, whether it’s a rivalry or not. I don’t care who you’re playing. If you’re playing St. Buzzies and they beat you five times in a row, sometimes your pride’s gotta kick in.”

Malone also said it was palpable in previous matchups this season how much harder the T’Wolves are playing against the Nuggets than against other teams in the NBA, an interesting point to make. The T’Wolves clearly care a lot. Perhaps that softens the blow of losing a bunch of games in a row for Denver because they’re not putting everything into this matchup?

That seems like a bit of “cope” from here. Minnesota has owned Denver and will continue to own Denver until the Nuggets play like they care a bit more about this matchup.

Important Matchup – Aaron Gordon vs Julius Randle

So far this year, Julius Randle is averaging 23.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game against the Nuggets while maintaining a 68.0% True Shooting. That’s extremely high. Randle on the season scores 18.0 points per game on a 59.1% True Shooting. He’s had success against the Nuggets by hunting switches and posting up Denver’s smaller guards and wings with some bully ball.

Aaron Gordon has been in and out of Denver’s lineup this season, but he’s also had some success against the Timberwolves, averaging 22.0 points, and 7.0 rebounds on 70.8% True Shooting. Gordon has an opportunity to outplay Randle here, and if he does, the Nuggets will be in a better position in this matchup. They know they can’t really stop Anthony Edwards, but slowing down Randle is a different story.

Number of the Day – 5

That’s the number of regular season and playoff games that the Minnesota Timberwolves have bested the Nuggets in a row. Five times. Let’s see how hard Denver works to avoid a sixth time.

 

Nugget who should have a good game: Christian Braun

This three-day break the Nuggets just had is going to do wonders for Braun, who is playing a different level of minutes this year and has discussed having to take care of his body with a better routine to stay in top form.

I expect Braun will be energized after a bit of time off, and he’s going to be as motivated as anyone to try and slow down Anthony Edwards. He may not be perfect on that end of the floor, but Braun’s going to work hard tonight. Offensively, he also has to take advantage of having an easier matchup to score against while Edwards guards Jamal Murray and Jaden McDaniels hounds Michael Porter Jr. throughout the night.