The Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs 116-105 at Ball Arena. Nikola Jokic put up yet another triple-double, and somehow Jaden McDaniels thought Rudy Gobert did such a great job on both ends of the floor with Jokic, "the best game" from Gobert, that it would spur more wins for the Timberwolves. Um, Jaden, if that's all Gobert's got in a loss, it doesn't equal a win later. It could mean the Nuggets make quick work of the Timberwolves, actually.
"That's what we need every time we play against Jokic is Rudy to compete. That's the best game we had from Rudy all year. Both ends, he did a good a job. If he keeps doing that, we gonna win," McDaniels said.
So Gobert gives his best game, and the Timberwolves lose by 11. The sentiment is relatable; he means that if Gobert plays well like that, and the rest of the team improves, they can win. But they won't if that was Gobert's best.
The Nuggets didn't play their best and still won by 11
In a game that Gobert gave his "best game" of the year, the Timberwolves still lost, and Jokic went for 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. And McDaniels is basically considering that a moral win. I guess you can consider it one since Joker went for 56-16-15 on Christmas Day this year.
The Nuggets actually shot pretty poorly in the win. The NBA's best three-point shooting team at 39.6% during the regular season, shot just 27.8%. The Timberwolves shot better from the floor and from three percentage-wise than the Nuggets did. And the Nuggets still won.
The Nuggets could make quick work of the series
It just doesn't seem like the Timberwolves offered enough to see the series going the distance if Gobert just had his "best game." It just doesn't. If he has a lesser game against Jokic, Jokic hits his season averages of 38.3 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 11.3 assists.
Murray scored 30 on 0-8 from three. He's not likely going 0-8 again. Murray set the franchise record for made threes this season, and he had multiple games of 10 made threes. Cam Johnson, who finished the season at 43% from downtown, was just 2-7. And the Nuggets still won by 11.
This all adds up to a recipe for wins for the Nuggets. And that would make the series go quicker than most think. Because if McDaniels is right, and that was Gobert's best, it won't be enough against Jokic and the Nuggets.
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