Timberwolves will win vs. Denver.

[AbeVigodaLive]

- The Timberwolves won 56 games and narrowly missed out on the #1 seed despite its AS PF/C missing nearly 20 games down the stretch. It's probably the most complete team in Timberwolves history. It very well might be the best team in franchise history.

- The 2024 Timberwolves are different. Case in point(s):

Every NBA team faces scheduled losses. Tough back-to-backs. The end of long road trips. Injuries. Et al. The Wolves handled those differently this season.

After beating Orlando, the Wolves played the next day in Boston to end a four-game road trip. Boston was the league's clearcut best team. The Wolves were playing without Gobert. And, they got stuck in Orlando and didn't arrive until the day of the game. Very very few teams buckle down under those circumstances. The Wolves took Boston into OT.

Later in the year, the Wolves faced Denver for the #1 seed on another back-to-back. This time it was the day after a six-game road trip. They were without AS Towns. And, they were once again without Gobert. Luka Garza played a season high for minutes... against the soon-to-be three-time MVP. The Wolves took the game down to the final shot. Somehow.

Few teams overcome those types of odds to win games. The point is few times even make the effort to win those games. This Timberwolves team has a competitive streak to it that's rare. Depending on the next few weeks, it could be legendary.

- In the series vs. MN last season, Jokic shot 48.5%. That's pretty solid. But look closer.

Jokic had played 69 games up to that point. He'd shot 50% in 66 of them (shot 63.2% for the season). This season, he's played 4 games vs. Minnesota. He's shot below 50% in two of them (Rudy Gobert played in both games) in a season where he shot 58.3% overall.

- Shortly after the ASG, the NBA held clandestine meetings with officials to call the games differently. Games became more physical and FTAs went down. Meanwhile, the NBA playoffs are historically officiated differently, too... allowing more physicality than in the regular season. The Timberwolves are arguably the most physical defensive team in the league.

Imagine the long-limbed ballhawk, Jaden McDaniels, being allowed to hold, push and even shove Murray and others without a foul call. Think back to all of those slight contact plays and inadvertent bumps that took his aggressiveness away or put him on the bench during the regular season. But it goes beyond McDaniels. Get more physical with Jokic. Get more physical vs. the sometimes passive Porter.

The Timberwolves are very good on defense. They might be legendary if allowed to play a more physical, aggressive style of defense.

- Aaron Gordon shot 29% on three pointers this season. He's 32% for his career behind the arc. Fire away guy. Good luck.

- Bruce Brown averaged 12/4/3 with good efficiency during the regular season last year. He averaged 12 points, 51% shooting and often guarded the opposing team's most dangerous player(s) during the playoffs last season. He's no longer on the team.

- Reggie Jackson is a 33-year old backup PG who now gets the most bench minutes for Denver. This is the same guy who a year earlier only played 18 minutes over 20 playoff games. Jackson was "fine" during the season. But look closer...

He shot 49% as a starter... but only 39.5% as a reserve. He also shot below 30% on three pointers off the bench. Fire away guy. Good luck.

- Yes. The Nuggets won the title last season. But look closer:
Round 1: Minnesota 42 - 40 (play-in team)
Round 2: Phoenix 47 - 35
Round 3: Lakers 43 - 39 (play-in team)
Finals: Miami 44 - 38 (play-in team)

- Anthony Edwards is on his way to superstardom. We've all been watching. The world watched in Round 1. We know this already.

- Rudy Gobert has put the "can't guard in space" crap to bed. He was marvelous vs. Phoenix. He's marvelous every game defensively. He's the perfect guy vs. Jokic (if there is one).

- Towns is one of the best shooting big men of all time. And he's the Timberwolves #2 option. Behind him, there's Naz Reid who also shoots 40%+ on threes... and he's overdue for a breakout.

- Jaden McDaniels just shut down Booker for 3 of 4 games. Now he faces Jamal Murray who isn't considered as good as Booker.

- Mike Conley is the savvy vet who's chomping for that title.

- NAW, Naz Reid, Kyle Anderson, M. Morris vs. Reggie Jackson, Braun, Watson and Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater. Advantage: Timberwolves

- Chris Finch is injured. But this could galvanize the team as much as winning for a coach (Finch) or player (Conley) can motivate NBA players.

[BloopOracle]

I also believe that we are going to get a super friendly whistle this series when Ant is involved, NBA social media has been pushing him hard these playoffs.

[60WinTim]

Now you're talking!!!

[Q-is-here]

Good stuff Abe. The Denver bench is indeed worse than last year, but MPJ has taken his game to another level of late.

Otherwise, I think you summarized well why most Wolves fans are bullish about this series.