Timberwolves – How can they win?

For the Timberwolves, this series is the biggest potential proof of concept for this version of the team. Starting with how to guard Jokic. In the last series, the Timberwolves played KD straight up with KAT, and it worked in the sense that this matchup let them use McDaniels on Booker and Ant on Beal. However, there is a large difference in the game of KD versus Jokic, specifically that Jokic is a great facilitator and shot creator not just for himself but the rest of the team in a way KD is not.

This means that letting Jokic take advantage of a one-on-one matchup with KAT could lead to more success for the Nuggets than it did for the Suns. Jokic is a physical player, which could be a concern in a matchup with KAT, who tends to over foul. The usual strategy against the Nuggets this season has been to assign your power forward to Jokic and your center to Gordon to defend the backline. However, due to Jokic’s style of play and KAT’s foul issues, it might not be the best matchup. Instead, it could work to put Gobert on Jokic and place KAT on Gordon. The aim of this setup is to try to prevent Jokic from scoring a lot and make the other Nugget players step up, especially from three. The Nuggets only shot 30% from three-point range in the last series against a Lakers team that didn’t have the same length and athleticism as this Timberwolves team does.

Playing good defense isn’t enough to stop the Nuggets. The Timberwolves need to improve their offense compared to the regular season. Although they performed well against the Suns, it’s doubtful they can do the same against the Nuggets, who have a stronger defense and smarter players. Despite the Nuggets’ strong defense, there are still ways to take advantage of it. One strategy is to use high screen and handoff actions with MPJ or Jokic’s man to draw them out onto the court and attack off the dribble. Another tactic is to replicate the zoom actions used by the Lakers in the last two games of their series. This involves starting Ant in the corner with the ball, passing to the top of the floor, passing to the opposite corner, having them man at the top of the floor screen for Ant as he comes running up from the corner, and then having Ant receive the ball off a handoff and turn the corner. This forces the Nuggets defense to scramble and switch, creating a mismatch that Ant can capitalize on going downhill.