Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Nuggets’ disaster on prime-time TV against Timberwolves

The Nuggets got schooled by their division foes in Minnesota and were always behind. They let the Timberwolves invade their paint for 72 points, the second-most digits given up to an opponent in that spot all year.

They showed little resistance on defense and were on their back foot early. It took Nikola Jokić scoring five times at close range plus nailing a pick-and-pop shot, and Jamal Murray making two jumpers and laying in a lob to prevent the team from getting shamed. 

The defense was still helpless in the second quarter because of poor closeouts and turnovers not letting them get into position. Yet, Russell Westbrook and Murray combined for six of nine baskets on the dribble and catch to keep the team within striking distance.

At halftime, the Nuggets were down 71-60. They had 36 paint points, four on the break, 14 via second chances and 12 off turnovers. 

The Timberwolves had 46 paint points, 20 on the break, 12 via second chances and 19 off turnovers.

Then the Nuggets came out of the break, making three of five baskets, but were down 15 points over two minutes in. Their offense shot 59.1% for the period, but the Wolves kept feasting when they wanted to, and four of them made multiple field goals.  Anthony Edwards defaced the defense the most, dribbling into its heart for three baskets and nailing two triples.

The fourth quarter started with the Nuggets down 109-91. The Timberwolves’ attack finally slowed, but making nine of 24 shots was more than enough as they were so far ahead, and the Nuggets offense was in the dirt. Jokić and Murray only played two more minutes before checking out in the last five with the team down 25. 

The Nuggets lost 133-104. They were outscored in three key areas: paint points 72-58, fastbreak points 16-8 and second-chance points 20-18. On top of that, Minnesota was superior from deep, making 46.7% of attempts to Denver’s 34.4%.

Takeaways:

• The defense was slow to react to cutters plus shooters, and failed to play help effectively, Jokić especially. The Timberwolves logged a 63.2 effective field goal percentage, the third-highest opponent accuracy all season. 

• Michael Porter Jr. also had one of his worst nights of the year. He’s 6’10 but played like he’s 6’1 on the glass because he got no rebounds. And he was a liability on defense.

• This was the seventh game of the year the Nuggets had at least 20 turnovers. Their record in those games is 5-2.

• The Nuggets got beat up on the glass by nine boards and gave up 18 offensive rebounds.

• Murray had burst on the dribble and his jumper was on target. He finished with 25 points on 62.5% shooting, plus two rebounds, five assists and two turnovers. This is a different player from the slower and heavier-looking Murray, who was struggling earlier in the season. He was the Nuggets’ biggest bright spot in a blowout loss. 

• Jokić’s five-game triple-double streak concluded as he was seven rebounds away from another. He also tied his season worst of seven turnovers.