In a Target Center dressed all in white which gives voice, the Wolves are once again called to order by the reigning champions. Six missed shots in a row and an absent defense in transition allowed Denver and Nikola Jokic (22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists) to pass them a 9-0 (9-2).
A timeout from Chris Finch, however, reverses the trend. With the return of Mike Conley, the Minnesota defense regains its activity of the first two games and suffocates its opponent. The Nuggets lost four balls and made 2 of 14 shots missed while the Wolves inflicted a 29-5 on them during the last nine minutes of the first quarter thanks in particular to 14 points from Anthony Edwards (31-14)!
We had to wait until the first minutes of the second period to see Jamal Murray (10 points, 4/18 on shots) score his first basket. While Karl-Anthony Towns (10 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists) and Anthony Edwards (27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 interceptions) are breathing at the same time, the Nuggets are reassured. They take 4 offensive rebounds and a winning shot from Aaron Gordon (12 points, 8 rebounds) brings them to -11 (35-24).
The impact of Rudy Gobert
The return of Edwards wakes up the Wolves attack, and it is Naz Reid (10 points, 11 rebounds) with six points in a row who benefits. On the other hand, the stature of Rudy Gobert (8 points, 14 rebounds) forces Denver to take and miss difficult shots. Mike Malone's men remain silent for four minutes and Minnesota takes a 24-point lead (48-24).
The Wolves play with the game in the last two minutes of the half but unlike Game 4 which saw them concede an 8-0 in 19 seconds, it is a buzzer beater on an offensive rebound from the tireless and omnipresent Jaden McDaniels (21 points, 3/5 3-pointers) who allows Minnesota to keep 19 points ahead (59-40).
Minnesota drives home the point after returning from the locker room. Two winning shots from Jaden McDaniels in the corner ignite the Target Center. While Denver is still struggling to find its rhythm against the local defense, the Wolves are 5/9 from a distance to move to +30 at the start of the fourth quarter (93-63)! With ten minutes to play, Mike Malone brings out the white flag and empties his bench. Anthony Edwards, smiling, makes the number 7 with his hands, while the Taret Center chants “Wolves in 7”.
See you Sunday in Colorado for the epilogue of this exciting series!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The hungry pack is back. With 9-2 for the Nuggets after three minutes of play due to sloppy defense, the Wolves once again seemed in the role of the attacked. Their survival instinct then took over and their collective defense dominated the rest of the first half, limiting the Nuggets to 9/36 shots and 31 points in 21 minutes, while causing seven turnovers. With Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns to control the rebounds (19 against 21 for the Nuggets), and the trio Anthony Edwards – Jaden McDaniels – Mike Conley not only behind their direct opponents but also much more incisive in their two-way take on Nikola Jokic, the Wolves were up to 24 points ahead.
– In the Murray family, I ask for the fake Jamal. After his surge during Games 3 and 4, Jamal Murray, who had struggled during the first half of Game 5, was just as transparent tonight as during the first two games of this series. The defensive activity of the Wolves limited it to 0/5 in the first quarter, then to 1/5 in the second quarter. His third period was barely better (8 points on 8 shots) and he finished the match with 10 points 4/18 on shots. The only positive point for the Nuggets and Murray is that Game 7 will take place on Sunday after two days of rest, which should allow the Canadian to find his legs again.
– The Wolves win the battle of the second knives. During Denver's three straight victories, Aaron Gordon's performance was decisive. This night, no Nugget came to support Nikola Jokic who finished the match under 50% shooting success and with only two assists. Michael Porter Jr., in particular, continued to struggle while the Denver bench had scored no points after three quarters. On the Wolves side, it was quite the opposite. Behind Anthony Edwards' 27 points, Towns finished with a double double, Gobert was not far from it, Jaden McDaniels had the best game of his series, Mike Conley was equal to himself, and Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 19 points coming off the bench. In addition to the duel between the stars of the two teams, the second knives of the two teams will surely decide the outcome of Game 7.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
