As Karl-Anthony Towns struggles, Timberwolves NBA Playoffs hopes in ICU
By Bret Stuter
Gobert comes roaring back in Game 2
Despite the fact that a recent poll believed that Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is one of the NBAs most overrated players, that was not the case in Game 2. In fact, Gobert was one of the Timberwolves’ leading scorers in this one, putting up 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in what was one of his better games this season.
In fact, Gobert was the only Minnesota Timberwolves player to finish an NBA Playoff game so far with a (+/-) score of better than +1. In fact, the only other player to finish in the positive with their (+/-) rating is Wendell Moore Jr., who played the final two minutes of Game 1 for the Timberwolves. That is simply not going to get the job done, particularly when facing the best team in the NBA Western Conference.
Hot. 3 things Timberwolves must do to win Game 2 vs Nuggets - Timberwolves only managed to do 1. light
Gobert stands alone
Gobert is one of the few frontcourt players showing up in this NBA Playoffs series. While two of the Minnesota Timberwolves frontcourt phenoms are out for this series: Backup center Naz Reid and small forward Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves were thought to have sufficient depth in the frontcourt to at least compete in this series against the Nuggets.
But with Reid and McDaniels out, the Timberwolves’ rotations have included shooting guard/small forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker to make the minutes work. Veteran PF Kyle Anderson has averaged 26.5 minutes, 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists so far, while PF Taurean Prince is averaging 19.5 minutes, 6.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
But what of the third pillar of this team, Karl-Anthony Towns?