Rudy Gobert knows you don't believe in him.
After stymying the best player in the world in a must-win game, and getting snubbed in the DPOY voting, Gobert is less interested in what others think of him than ever before.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
I should've specified.
Haven't gone to bed yet. Man, you live for nights like this one. An absolute bar room brawl between two great teams who don't like each other. Just filed the story. Will be up in a little while. What a game. What a series. And we're only two games in.
Finch trying to steal a few more minutes of rest for Ant. Bones' offense at end of third earned it.
Finch and Ant furious they didn't get the timeout there
Eight missed free throws.
Randle has been outstanding in this second quarter, attacking the basket
Wolves cut into the lead with Jokic out. Trimming it down to 6. Now the big guy is back.
The Wolves have to have to have to have to get to the rim. They have to.
Bones now has 3 fouls on 3-on-1 when he ran right into Hardaway. The Wolves have played one of the most unhinged quarters of basketball they've had all year
Wolves are just not playing smart at all. Really poor decisions and awful screen navigation
Couldn't be going much worse!
Ant is laboring big time.
Wolves NEED better nights from Randle and Reid tonight. Can't bank on Gobert having another offensive night like Game 1 and Edwards' knee is going to limit him. Wouldn't mind seeing Shannon get out there to attack the rim if they're having trouble scoring like they did on Saturday.
Anthony Edwards didn’t look like himself in Game 1, his aching knee blunting his impact.
But he did look like himself afterward, his confidence never wavering that the Wolves will find away.
Is he hurt or just rusty? The series hinges on the answer.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
Needed that 3 from Ayo
Nightmare game for Naz. Looks completely unhinged.
Frustration mounting for the Wolves. Jaden losing his cool.
Wolves should really try to get DiVincenzo more shots. He's letting it fly with confidence. Only 3 in that half.
Anthony Edwards with five assists and three blocked shots in the first half. He may not be 100 percent, but he's giving it everything he has.
11 free throws for Murray in the half. That's how the Nuggets have stayed in this.
Nuggets win the non-Jokic minutes by 7. Really not good.
Rough rotation for Bones
Incredible stretch from Mike Conley defensively. That's why Finch keeps going back to the old man. That's an impressive first quarter from the Wolves.
Nuggets are in the penalty with 7:20 to go. Big because they haven't shot well to start.
Not only not a flagrant foul ... not even a regular foul on Jaden.
OK, Wolves fans. How you feelin?
Know ball and data? Come work with me building the next generation of basketball statistical insight:
jobs.ashbyhq.com/teamworks/ae...
Ant&
Jaden&
Naz
They united in Minnesota when the Wolves were at their lowest. Over the last 6 years, no trio in the NBA has played more games together.
They have led a Wolves renaissance. One of their biggest challenges yet awaits.
(Free read)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...
They're banged up! I don't think it's that dire, but that wouldn't be as fun, would it?