How did the reigning NBA champion win in game 3 against the Timberwolves?

Michael Malone, the coach who led the Nuggets to the title less than twelve months ago, has spent the last few days trying to remind his players precisely that they are the champions, the best team in the NBA, at least until someone proves otherwise. And in this league, you have to prove it four times out of seven when spring comes. That is the most challenging thing and the lesson the Timberwolves take away, with fewer battles of this category in their bones, from a dark night that stopped their excellent momentum from these playoffs. After the Suns 4-0 and Denver 0-2, the return home brought disappointment: 90-117 and 1-2. It should go without saying that Game 4, again in Minneapolis before returning to Denver, has become a monumental affair, the game of the year (so far). It will be played tomorrow, without respite: we will see if it favors the one who has regained his composure or who probably prefers not to overthink, to write off this misfortune without contemplating too much, and to try again.

In the upcoming fourth game, the Nuggets can either lose to the hypothetical score of 1-3, leading to the Return of the King’s victory or make a comeback for the sixth time from 0-2 down. This game will also reveal the accurate measure of both the teams, where the Nuggets will transform from weak contenders to strong ones, and the Wolves will reveal their true potential, which can be that of a seven-headed hydra or a shaken puppy. Tomorrow, we will know which team has the upper hand in this tie, which is more than half at stake. The third game was a life-or-death situation for the Nuggets, proving they still have the potential to be champions. This was a substantial improvement from their disastrous performance on Tuesday. Along with inappropriate behavior from the players (including Jamal Murray), bad loser reactions, and physical shakiness during the game. Overall, the third game was a great sign of improvement for the Nuggets, who have a chance to come back strong in the fourth game.

Malone had expressed his disappointment with his team’s poor performance in the second game and had expected his players to show more intensity and effort in the third game. Before the start of the season, Malone had cited John Wooden, the legendary coach of the UCLA Bruins, and emphasized the importance of character in winning a repeat championship. The Rockies games had raised concerns about the team’s ability to defend their championship. However, the transfer to Minnesota showed that the team still had the fighting spirit and resilience that had earned them the title. The fourth game would be crucial in determining which team would emerge as the victor, and it promised to be a monumental night.

The Nuggets went from nothing to everything in three days

The Nuggets changed. Radically, from top to bottom, in every sense. With three days of rest, Jamal Murray seemed at his best (we will see now, without respite, in the rest of the series) and without a trace of muscle problems. Finally, he was focused and relieved because the refereeing criteria completely changed, especially in the first few minutes, nullifying the tone of the second game, ultra physical, and permanent contacts. Jokic, even though Rudy Gobert returned after his paternity absence, began (terrible news for the Wolves) to decipher the defensive mountain in front of him. He played a majestic game beyond his final numbers (24 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks). First, he was determined to get his team into a collective rhythm, and from a point in the third quarter, he had already recovered the certainty that he is always, and until proven otherwise, the best player on the court.

Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon played exceptionally well against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both scored combined an impressive 34 points, including hitting 7 out of 9 three-point shots. The Timberwolves struggled with their defense, which was inconsistent throughout the game. Despite this, the Denver Nuggets, led by coach Malone, managed to take control of the game and secure a crucial win. Malone emphasized the game’s importance and extended the starters’ playing time to ensure the team’s success. Overall, it was a hard-fought victory that showed the Nuggets’ determination to succeed.

During halftime, the Nuggets had a 6/12 record in three-pointers and were successful in 9 out of 10 shots near the rim. Murray scored 18 points in the first half (he finished with 24 overall), and Jaden McDaniels spent 16 minutes on the bench due to foul trouble. The Wolves struggled with a 6/20 record in threes and had barely entered the opponent’s zone. Only the shots of Karl-Anthony Towns (12 points at halftime, 14 in total) gave the local team some hope (41-56). The atmosphere, which was initially energetic, turned cold due to the home team’s lack of offensive precision and inability to adapt to the referee’s confusion. Chris Finch had asked the team to remain the hungriest team on the court, but they failed to deliver. They must continue to be the hungriest team on the court to avoid problems tomorrow.

Anthony Edwards scored only nine points in the first half, and although he attempted to make a comeback in the third quarter, he finished the game with 19 points. Gobert appeared lightweight, and in the second half, the Wolves’ defense, which had previously won them six games in a row, was utterly broken in this playoff game. The current tally is 6-1, and the only team that has ever started a playoff season with a record of 7-0 is the 2017 Warriors team, led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There must be a reason for their success.

The Denver Nuggets had a commanding 34-point lead, causing many fans to leave early in the fourth quarter. The Wolves looked like their early-season selves, immature and disjointed. To prove themselves as contenders, the Wolves must respond with a win tomorrow and show they can handle the pressure of facing the defending champions with their MVP leading the charge. A win would put the Wolves at 1-3 and one step closer to the Western Conference Finals. However, another loss would bring the series to a 2-2 tie, giving Denver a chance to come back. It’s important not to think about the possibility of another loss.