3 things Timberwolves must do to win Game 2 vs Nuggets

While the Minnesota Timberwolves may have had some pretty bad optics over their effort and performance in Game 1 in the best-of-seven series in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, there is no reason to panic just yet. The game was just one loss, and the Timberwolves can even things up with a win in Game 2.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes NBA Players can do all of the right things in the right way and the shots simply fail to fall. If that is all it was in the Timberwolves’ loss in Game 1, then things will appear to be much more competitive in Game 2. At least, that is how Karl-Anthony Towns sized up Game 1 in his post-game press conference.

If you buy into that, then the Timberwolves simply need to show up and commit the same amount of effort in Game 2. Of course, if you want Rudy Gobert’s input when asked what the Timberwolves must do better in Game 2, he answered with no hesitation:

Everything certainly covers it all.

Well, I don’t mean to seem skeptical, but I’m not of the opinion that either is 100 percent correct. The Timberwolves did some things effectively in Game 1. It’s just that the Timberwolves have some work to do in my opinion. So what do the Timberwolves need to do to win Game 2 and even the series against the Denver Nuggets? Here are 3 things that come to mind:

Ways to Win III: Continue to pressure Nuggets Nikola Jokic

The Minnesota Timberwolves were on the right track in Game 1 in their effort to neutralize Nikola Jokic by putting him into foul trouble. The problem was that Jokic played outstanding basketball, while the Timberwolves really struggled to adhere to their defensive assignments when he had the basketball.  By the time Jokic fouled out, the game was well out of hand, and the rest of the Nuggets roster had gotten comfortable.

The Timberwolves should continue to give different looks at Jokic, even if they are not as effective. The Timberwolves did not use Nathan Knight, Josh Minott, or Wendell Moore Jr. in the game until the final garbage minutes. Perhaps the Timberwolves could make use of Knight or Minott a bit more in Game 2, solely with the purpose of guarding Jokic.

While they have little chance of neutralizing him, it does give other players some in-game rest while confounding Jokic with another different defensive look.