Only one second-round matchup has been set so far in these NBA playoffs, but it looks like it has the potential to be one of the very best postseason series of 2024. The defending-champion Nuggets will face the Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals beginning on Saturday.
Denver had a target on its back entering this season after winning a title in 2023, but the team responded admirably, tying for the West’s best record (57-25) and then quickly dispatching LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers in round one.
The Nuggets are led by the NBA’s probable 2024 MVP (Nikola Jokic), along with one of the league’s best clutch playoff performers (Jamal Murray). They also have a series of role players, led by Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Michael Porter Jr., who complement their stars perfectly. They’re widely considered the favorites to come out of the West, with many NBA fans and experts viewing them as a good bet to repeat as champions.
But the Timberwolves showed in their first-round sweep of Phoenix that they’re a legitimate threat to make a deep playoff run of their own this spring.
Minnesota, which had the NBA’s No. 1 defensive rating during the regular season, wasn’t quite as dominant on that end of the floor against Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and the Suns, but they made up for it by raising their offensive game to new heights — the Wolves’ 123.2 offensive rating in round one easily ranks first among the 16 playoff teams.
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns own the most award hardware of any Minnesota players, but it’s rising star Anthony Edwards who is raising the team’s ceiling and gives the Wolves a chance to be more competitive than they were in the first round against Denver a year ago.
Just 22 years old, Edwards averaged 31.0 points per game on .512/.438/.839 shooting against Phoenix and has fully embraced the postseason stage, repeatedly directing trash talk toward Durant and the Suns. In Edwards, the Wolves have a player whom they can increasingly rely on to get them a basket in clutch moments, which is crucial in the playoffs.
And like Denver, the Wolves have no shortage of talented role players, with Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker leading the defense on the perimeter, Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid providing scoring off the bench, and veteran point guard Mike Conley serving as a stabilizing force on both ends of the floor.
It’s a fascinating intra-divisional matchup that should make for a terrific series. Sports betting site BetOnline.ag considers the Nuggets (-195) the solid favorites, but the Wolves’ resounding first-round victory over Phoenix signaled that this roster is built for real postseason success.
We want to know what you think. Are you picking Denver to advance or do you think Minnesota can pull off the upset? Do you expect the winner of this series to represent the West in the NBA Finals, or do you anticipate seeing the Thunder, Mavericks, or Clippers come out of the conference?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts and predictions!
Denver looks tough and destined to repeat. But I sure would love to see Minnesota put up some resistance and make this an interesting series.
Can Rudy slow down Jokic at all? Can Towns out play Aaron Gordon outside of points? Will Pope and his strong defense slow down Anthony Edwards at all? Can 37-year-old Mike Conley keep up with Jamal Murray, and make him work on the other end too?
I look forward to watching each and every game, but it’ll be Denver in 5.
Wish I had your confidence in the nugs. I think the wolves could win this series
Conley won’t be on Murray it’ll be Edwards with Conley on KCP. As with KAT and Gordon. KAT should win the battle of the boards and also as a scorer can shoot the 3, handle, finish inside. I don’t think Gordon matches up that well at all but his physicality will test KAT.
I think Jaden McDaniels vs Micheal Porter Jr is the interesting battle. MPJ could either go for 30 points per game and shoot 50% from 3 or McDaniels will hold him to 10 points and he will shoot 15% or something ridiculous.
I don’t think KCP will be able to stop ANT either and then when it comes to the bench/depth Minny is looking a lot better.
I thinking Minny in 6
I just hope Murray gets punched
Nobody has repeated as Champs since you Warriors did it in 2018. Minnesota matches up well Denver. You have the prime offensive orchestrator in Jokic vs the prime defensive orchestrator in Gobert. Home court, experience and the altitude favor Denver but Murray’s been limping the entire first round. Because I like Conley and the fact I seem to be one of the only people on the planet that like Gobert my heart says Minnesota but my brain says Denver in six.
Jokic eats Rudy for lunch, almost every time. Very early in both their careers, Rudy had some luck vs a much younger Joker, especially in Utah, but that hasn’t been the case in years. Jokic’ footwork is too good and too quick. In fact, the Twolves often try other guys so Rudy can stay closer to the bucket to block shots.
The reason Minny is a tough matchup for Denver is they have multiple players who can muscle up with Murray (including McDaniel). Problem for Minny is whether the layoff messes with their hot shooting. They’re not normally a good shooting team, but they were vs Phoenix, and the Nuggets have a way of forcing teams into low percentages from outside.
isn’t it amazing how a 3x (presumably 4x DPOY) can only guard 1 position out of 5? and then still not even all the 5s in the league.
In the 4 times they have met this season they split the games 2 each, with Denver winning by 3 and 9 points while Minny blew them out by 21 and 13.
It’s going to be the best series in the second round. Can Aaron Gordon stop KAT, can KCP take Edwards, will Minnys defence hold up against the Joker, Murray and MPJ.
I think Gobert can do enough to slow down and make Jokic’s life hard. McDaniels has MPJ but on those catch and shoots I can still see him having a couple hot streaks. Then with Murray in the clutch there’s no point even contesting.
But in saying all that, KCP ain’t stopping ANT, Gordon is going to have a tough time on KAT and Minny has way better depth.
I actually want to see Minny make it out.
DEN beat MIN 4-1!
I think this series goes 6 or 7 games I think my Wolves have a real shot at pulling off the upset so I’m rolling with them.
Hopefully the refs are better than they were in last nights 76ers Knicks game. So many mistakes at the end of that game, 76ers should’ve lost in regulation. ESPN front page has the report if you haven’t seen it yet
I think home court advantage will help nugs to survive until game 7, but I’m taking the wolves because they matchup well and have more depth coming from the bench.
This would allow the Mavs to have a chance at coming out of the west, who would otherwise get dominated by the nugs yet again.
DEN wins the NBA formula, so odds are good that they’ll prevail if both teams play well. Although I don’t see any issue with the thing going 7 games. Particularly with DEN having home court.
DEN’s profile is just better. They have the best player on the floor (who’s also the type of made man the league loves to see leading a championship team). They also have, at least in a playoff setting, the 2nd best player on the floor (also an intriguing personality). Those two, with their teammates and coach, are proven on and off the court, and stand to create those much desired defending champ narratives going forward.
MIN has its charms too. An ascending star with almost no ceiling who’s already a highlight reel. The veteran PG from central casting. The twin towers (an intriguing concept, although the personalities are south of that). Deep rotation. But right now, that’s only enough to make them the perfect foil. But that makes it a showcase series, and, if they do well, they’ll have a better chance next year.
Nuggets fan here….Timberwolves series really scares me…nuggs were 2-2 in the season series and they always seem to have our number. Hope I’m wrong..
Only thing that will slow down the nuggets is a Jamal Murray injury hiccup. Aside from that it should be no problem. My heart hopes for a great series and resistance and threat from the T wolves, but my head says nuggets and Nuggets easily.
If I may also add, another hiccup is that Denver plays its starters heavy minutes. If it goes five perhaps six will they struggle to give 150% necessary to take out the wolves? Or will they drag it on and give 150% in game 7?
Gary, hope you are right! I live in Boston, and HATE the celts, have been a nuggets fan since Alex English days. I do go every year when my nuggs come to Boston!
I remember those run and Gun nuggets. I may be blending eras but fat lever Kiki vandeweghe dan issel Danny Shchays just a the top of my head. Oh and Michael Adams and who else…
Maybe not Dan Issel.., maybe he was before that era. But yeah those guys would run you into the ground.
I’m Die Hard Red Sox but not a Celtics fan either. I love to hoop when I’m in town either Summerville outdoor courts by the ice rink with the brothers 8p- 11p, or at the several La fitnesses in town for some decent runs. Always a good time.
Oh and of course speaking of Denver Wash Park has excellent weekend hoops. Definitely stop by every time I’m in town.