By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Down to 0-2 in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, the Denver Nuggets are heading to two games in Target Center versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A second consecutive loss in Ball Arena with a poor offensive performance on Monday. Following Game 2 of a best-of-seven series, Nikola Jokic commented on the defense of the Wolves limiting his side. “They are doing the same thing,” the Serbian superstar referred to brilliant defense for the Timberwolves in a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
“They are playing really good defense the whole season,” added the six-time All-Star, Finals MVP last season, and season MVP in 2021 and 2022, “They are pushing off the spot. All five are aggressive. They know what they are doing. That is why, probably, it is hard to score.”
Game 3 is on Friday. The next edition of NBA Sundays features Game 4. The defending champions need at least one win on the road to return to Ball Arena next Tuesday. “Hopefully, we are going to go there and put up a fight and bring the series back,” noted Jokic.
Teammate Jamal Murray was frustrated in Game 2, tossing a heat pack and making a money gesture to the referees, before leaving without answering questions from gathered reporters. “You need to ask him that. I mean I do not think I lost my emotions,” Jokic rejected a question about his side’s overall approach.