Ayo Dosunmu's 43-point explosion may not repeat as Timberwolves try to finish Nuggets in Game 5

It was a reasonably coagulated play of NBA Playoff picks for nan readers. We were capable to get an easy triumph connected nan Magic squad full complete successful Game 3 of their bid against Detroit (Game 4 takes spot tonight). We were besides capable to rate a summons connected nan Thunder covering a reasonably ample number connected nan roadworthy against nan Suns. Yesterday, nan Cavs were successful power until they did nan emblematic Cleveland point and blew nan crippled late. It is almost arsenic if each Cleveland sports squad has decided to make nan playoffs arsenic unreliable arsenic possible. Today, we spell for a triumph pinch nan Timberwolves and nan Nuggets taking each different connected successful Game 5.

This has been a spot of a chippy series, but it almost feels for illustration that is precisely what nan Timberwolves wanted. Minnesota has been nan squad calling retired Denver astir its defense, and they are happily accepting immoderate benignant of confrontation. Any squad pinch Anthony Edwards connected it will person immoderate swagger, but this almost feels for illustration nan T-Wolves are being disrespectful to this challenger. I suppose it is working, considering nan squad is up 3-1 successful nan series.

Denver Nuggets PG Jamal Murray drives to nan overgarment connected Minnesota Timberwolves SG Anthony Edwards successful Game 3 successful nan first information of nan 2026 Western Conference Playoffs. (Abbie Parr/AP)

However, location is simply a awesome origin for concern. The Timberwolves took a large deed past game, and I'm not talking astir nan shoving betwixt Jaden McDaniels and Nikola Jokic. Their sharpshooter, Dante DiVincenzo, who was cited arsenic a awesome logic they won Game 2, was mislaid for nan play (and astir apt adjacent season) aft he tore his Achilles. Significantly worse, nan Timberwolves besides mislaid Edwards for a fewer weeks aft he hyperextended his knee. If Minnesota is going to get 1 much crippled successful this bid to adjacent it out, they request to do it without Edwards.

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards shoots complete Denver Nuggets PG Jamal Murray successful Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff bid astatine Target Center successful Minneapolis. (Abbie Parr/AP)

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The Nuggets do not look for illustration nan one-time champion that you'd expect. They are proving nan Timberwolves correct successful nan appraisal that their defense is trash. In 3 consecutive games, they've allowed complete 112 points to their opponent, which is astir nan play average. They besides only scored 96 points successful some of nan games successful Minnesota. Rudy Gobert, nan much-maligned halfway for nan Timberwolves, is doing a awesome occupation of limiting Jokic's success. We will person to spot if Jokic tin fig retired Rudy's protect efforts.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3 prime hinges connected Jaden McDaniels calling retired Denver's full defense

Aaron Gordon has returned for Denver, but it does look for illustration he is still struggling. He only played 23 minutes and put successful conscionable 9 points connected 11 section extremity attempts. Overall, nan squad changeable conscionable 21% from heavy successful this game. I person to ideate that improves. The squad changeable almost 40% from heavy successful nan regular season, but they are shooting 28% wide successful nan series. That's still amended than what they showed successful Game 4.

Denver Nuggets halfway Nikola Jokic reacts successful overtime against nan Minnesota Timberwolves astatine Ball Arena successful Denver, Colo., connected Dec. 25, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

A batch of nan communicative successful Game 4 was astir nan ending. It is simply a stupid narrative, but it pops up each now and then. The crippled was fundamentally complete -- nan Timberwolves had nan shot pinch seconds remaining, tossed it down court, and alternatively than dribble it out, McDaniels went successful for a layup. Jokic took objection to it, and location was immoderate insignificant shoving. No 1 ended up getting suspended, but location were immoderate fines.

Missed successful that was nan awesome crippled from Ayo Dosunmu of nan Timberwolves. He was acquired astatine nan waste and acquisition deadline from nan Bulls and gave Minnesota a profession performance. Dosunmo scored 43 points successful that game, but I wouldn't expect that occurrence to continue. He is listed astatine 19.5 points tonight, and I for illustration nan under. He is still a spot of a domiciled player, and moreover though he will person an accrued role, location won't beryllium location tribunal aliases an constituent of surprise. Julius Randle will request to return complete nan bulk of nan scoring duties, and I deliberation he is much apt to spell complete 21.5 points. I'll play some of these options coming arsenic Denver looks to widen nan series.

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