Will the Timberwolves' vibes pull them through to the next round? Or will the Nuggets' experience prove the deciding factor of Game 7? (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
This Game 7 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets could be an all-timer. Not only is it the deciding game in a hotly contested series between two incredibly talented teams, the storylines surrounding this matchup have made it even more compelling.
The Nuggets are a machine. This is the sixth consecutive year they've made it to the playoffs, and they're the defending champions. The duo of Jamal Murray and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić is borderline unstoppable. As a franchise they're 4-3 in Game 7's, but this core group of players is 3-1. They've got the experience and the talent.
But don't look now, the Timberwolves are coming. They've made the playoff three years in a row. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are coming into their own. The vibes are impeccable. They've even made Rudy Gobert likable!
That alone might not be enough for them to overcome the Nuggets, but the Timberwolves have one other thing on their side for Game 7: history. Sunday is the 20th anniversary of Minnesota's 83-80 Game 7 win over the Sacramento Kings in the second round, in which birthday boy Kevin Garnett scored 32 points with 21 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals.
Will a Timberwolves player turn in a KG-esque performance that will lift them over the Nuggets? Or will the experience of Jokić and Co. end Minnesota's run? Follow all the Game 7 action below.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER32 updates
Yahoo Sports Staff
Wolves win 98-90. There wasn't even any drama, and Ant didn't even play well
Yahoo Sports Staff
And that's it. Minnesota will win Game 7 on the road. Wow.
Vincent Goodwill
Rudy’s out, Karl has 5 fouls and the champs had better go through the MVP if they want any chance of pulling this off.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Minny up 10 with 2:40 left. The kids are all right.
Yahoo Sports Staff
It is 85-82 Wolves with 4:30 left. Yowza.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Minny has to trust Rudy in the short roll. I know it’s impossible to consider but that’s what Denver will give up. Every now and then hit him.
A weird series gets weirder in a Game 7, as expected. 53-38 at the half. Jamal Murray with 24, Ant 1-of-7 for 4 points. You couldn’t script it any better for the champs.
Vincent Goodwill
Towns doing work
Karl Towns, literally keeping this game from being a blowout. 13 of the Wolves' 38 points. They trail by 10.
The Nuggets are starting to tighten their defense on Edwards. He’s passing out, but Gobert and Co. aren’t responding. 33% shooting for MIN, and the Nuggets are on their first big surge, lead 30-19.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Based on the bench reactions and some of the players on the floor, I don't think Minnesota is bringing help from where they want on the Jokic post-ups. They keep doubling him with the guy one-pass away. That's creating some easy passes for shots for Denver.
It looks like Minnesota is trying to get Murray on Edwards on switches. Denver is double-switching as the Wolves flow into the action. It's keeping Murray off Edwards. Wolves might need to hold up the screen for a beat longer. That will mean getting into their stuff a little…
A great sign for the Nuggets, Jamal Murray is active and aggressive after the two-day layoff. He’s been a barometer for them this series. Only averaging 10 points in losses, nearly 20 in wins.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Nuggets once again generating plenty of open looks and once again not knocking them down. Execution looks a lot different when the shots simply fall.
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