Because the defending NBA Champions, league media had loads to say when the Nuggets misplaced the primary two video games vs. Minnesota. The Timberwolves received each video games in Denver and momentum was on their facet. Shifting ahead, the Nuggets wanted to play their finest model of basketball to get again into the collection. They’ve performed simply that.
Denver received the final three video games in a row to take a 3-2 collection lead after a 112-97 win on Tuesday night time. Earlier this collection, Timberwolves heart Rudy Gobert was given his third Defensive Participant of the 12 months Award. Regardless of that honor, Gobert’s protection has been in query this collection vs. the Nuggets. Notably when he’s guarding Nikola Jokic. Draymond Inexperienced crammed in on Contained in the NBA on TNT final night time and voiced his frustrations with Rudy Gobert’s poor protection.
Draymond Inexperienced didn’t maintain again when calling out Rudy Gobert on his defensive effort vs. Nikola Jokic
“The large Frenchman is sitting on that podium talking his native language. We, we, we have to do that. You, you, you want to get a cease… It’s you, my man, that’s getting cooked [by Nikola Jokic].”
Draymond Inexperienced sounded OFF on Rudy Gobert 👀
pic.twitter.com/S96Zd862NA— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 15, 2024
Recreation 6 on Thursday night time will likely be telling for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Residence-court benefit normally issues within the playoffs however that’s been thrown out the window this collection. On Tuesday night time, Denver was again at dwelling for Recreation 5 the place they took care of enterprise vs. the Timberwolves. Denver now has a 3-2 collection lead and will clinch a spot within the Convention Finals with a win in Recreation 6. Nonetheless, Minnesota’s season is on the road and you realize they’ll come out with their finest stuff.
After a loss in Recreation 5, Draymond Inexperienced referred to as out Rudy Gobert for his protection vs Nikola Jokic. Inexperienced stated that Gobert is getting “cooked” by Jokic on this collection. He stated his teammate Karl-Anthony Cities is enjoying higher protection vs. Jokic. In Recreation 5, Jokic had 40 factors, seven rebounds, and 13 assists. He additionally had one block and two steals. Rudy Gobert is meant to make it arduous for Jokic and he didn’t try this on Tuesday night time. Momentum has swung again to the Nuggets they usually may shut out the collection on Thursday.
.@jj_redick and @Rjeff24 react to the followers who’re blaming Rudy Gobert for Nikola Jokić’s unimaginable efficiency final night time.
Full dialog from their reside this morning: https://t.co/DquQlRykY8 pic.twitter.com/pBKLwivNXF
— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) May 15, 2024
On his podcast, JJ Redick referred to as out all of the followers who assume all of the blame needs to be on Rudy Gobert for not stopping Nikola Jokic. Redick talked about how Jokic is certainly one of, if not probably the most expert gamers within the league. Jokic’s footwork, basketball IQ, and motor make him one of many hardest gamers to protect. Rudy Gobert is solely doing what he can to cease Jokic and it won’t be sufficient. Will the Timberwolves reply Thursday at dwelling with their season on the road?
