The Golden State Warriors’ season is finished after their loss in the NBA Play-In Tournament, but that doesn’t mean Draymond Green isn’t still commenting on what’s happening in the NBA Playoffs. And he got real about why he thinks the Denver Nuggets might be in jeopardy in their upcoming second-round matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“The Nuggets took the series but I think they’re in trouble, and the reason I think they’re in trouble, and I said this before, I just don’t think their bench is good enough,” Draymond Green said in a podcast interview. “We saw that again the other night, as if they aren’t getting enough from their bench.” And as we move on, I believe the bench could be the difference in this Minnesota-Denver series. You’ve got Naz Reid coming off the bench who can play a lot of minutes, Kyle Anderson coming off, and Monte Morris, a tremendous backup point guard who isn’t used much but could be. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been playing tremendous basketball.
“I just think the depth of the Timberwolves is going to give Denver problems and yes the match-up between Joker and Rudy Gobert trying to guard him is huge, but I’ve always told you guys you win championships six through ten, not one through five.”
The Timberwolves finished third in the Western Conference, one game behind the second-seeded Nuggets. It will be fascinating to watch if home court advantage comes into play in this series. Based on their regular-season performances, the two are evenly matched. The defending champion Nuggets’ experience is undeniable, but the Timberwolves have made significant strides this season, with Anthony Edwards confirming himself as a superstar, as well as the contributions of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Nikola Jokic versus Rudy Gobert matchup
The battle between Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert will undoubtedly get the most attention, particularly when it comes to Gobert guarding Jokic. When the starting units are in the game, this is likely the most critical matchup on that end of the court. If Gobert can hold his own defensively, that will be crucial for the Timberwolves.
On the offensive end of the court, the Timberwolves will have other scoring alternatives, including as Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.
This is perhaps one of the most anticipated and intriguing series of the postseason. The Nuggets are attempting to demonstrate that their expertise will prevail, but the Timberwolves are attempting to make a statement that they have arrived and are title contenders.
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