Nikola Jokic could be in store for more of what he saw in games against the Thunder this year than what he found in games against the Timberwolves. They've got to change something to stop Jokic in the opening round of the playoffs, and it sounds like he could be in for a level of play more fit for Australian football than for a basketball court. Okay, small stretch.
But a physical "fight" is what awaits Joker, according to Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. And it could lead the Joker to a style of play that cost the Nuggets against the Wolves two seasons ago.
"At the end of the day, it comes down to the ability to be physical and fight him. And do it every time down," Finch said.
So basically, what the Thunder roll out with Alex Caruso acting like a fronting double-team on Jokic. Every time down. Got it.
They'd better hope it works. Joker has been able to do what he wants against the Timberwolves this season. He's averaged 38.3 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 11.3 assists.
The Timberwolves will also try to make Jokic score first
The physical play and double team are only one strategy the Timberwolves will deploy against Jokic. Brian Windhorst said on his podcast "Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective" that the Nuggets should expect the Wolves to force Jokic into a score-first mode and cut his assists down.
Windy pointed to the 2023-24 playoffs and the games six and seven losses, in which Jokic had only 2 and 7 assists. They tried to force Jokic to score from beyond the arc, and he couldn't get it done, which turned out to be a major difference in the final two games.
Obviously, the Timberwolves weren't able to replicate that success during the regular season this year, and Julius Randle isn't Karl-Anthony Towns. Randle had a defensive rating of 113.1 this year and KAT had a rating of 109.1 in 2023-24.
That strategy makes a little sense, given that all of Jokic's friends make up the league's best three-point shooting team, at 39.6% for the season.
Jokic should be prepared for the physical play
Jokic has been seeing physical play all season, depending on the opponent. He's been met with a fronting guard who has been able to get away with physical play 20 feet from the basket. Physical play that would probably be a foul under the hoop. For whatever reason, Joker isn't getting that whistle, and teams are exploiting it.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman will need to figure out the combination that works best to get an open look for Jokic to find them. He will. He's been slinging the rock around like prime John Elway this year.