Nuggets-Wolves Prediction: Nikola Jokic has slight edge over Anthony Edwards in COIN FLIP series
Jason reacts to the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves being matched up in the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs, breaks down all the angles including Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and who will eventually win the series.
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35 Comments
Electric series
Wolves game 1 nuggets for series
Im a nuggets fan and I don't think Minnesota is the second hardest matchup. So Jason is already wrong. This ain't the same matchup from the last two years. Nuggets in 4.
Your off on this one bro, nuggets in 5 ..Not sure if you watch there match up in depth this year but none of that screams a 7 game series lol
Hello nuggets fan here , MINN puts not a single concern in my heart lol
Wolves in 4
While i agree there is a world where the Wolves win this, I do not agree with the reasons used in your case to explain as to why.
The matchup reasoning isnt as strong as the past. A lot of this discussion was framed around how the wolves counter Denver and did so in the past. For example, countering Jamal in the last playoff matchups centered around NAW, with Jaden and Ant picking him up at times. NAW was the real stopper over the course of the game. Jamal also did not have a healthy lower half like he does this year, nor the season.
Nuggets have a lot better depth to throw at the wolves and i cant imagine the wolves stopping the nuggets for sustained periods of time with the potentially lingering injuries to Daniels and Ant, along with no NAW. This is the most versatile an best Nuggets Offense weve seen.
If the wolves were to win it would be because the nuggets couldnt stop Ant (which is entirely possible) and Naz and Jaden played elite basketball for themselves. Shutting down Jamal, Nuggets shooters, and eliminating easy buckets.
KAT and NAW were real matchup problems on both ends for themselves Nuggets, Randle doesnt provide that spacing and wuite frankly I dont think the nuggets care how much he shoots.
In other words i think it would take an incredible effort from the wolves to create a matchup nightmare that brings the win. Will they steal a few, very possible, but i think its just as likely the Nuggets win in 5 as it is the wolves pull off the upset.
Why would you not add the 23 season and playoffs where the Nuggets won.
The only thing that keeps me from subscribing is the sports betting sponsorship. Like I get it, small YouTuber, you gotta make your money, I don’t hold it against you, but sports betting is ruining sports, and people’s lives (I mean now it’s just betting on anything even beyond sports) and like I can only vote to show my displeasure with that in a few limited ways.
Are we really talking about runs from 3-4 years ago?
Nuggets in 5
People forget that Nuggets had Westbrook as the main guy from the bench and that was pretty much the whole rotation. Not to mention MPJ wearing a shoulder diper, Gordon being on his last lags, and still took OKC to 7 games
Wolves in 6. Nuggs aren't even on the broken Lakers level. The Nuggs Supreme lack of depth and defense will cost them massively in this series.
Wolves really have two problems to solve AG and VaL
This series is not gonna be close. The Timberwolves starters have been hurt forever! Ant-man has a bum knee and Gobert a hurt back. They haven’t played in forever. Nuggets in five, maybe four
MN's ball pressure is the key. If Murray cant initiate consistently Denver will be playing "uphill" on offense, fighting turnovers, late set entry which means tranisition opportunities for MN. This is the actual series xfactor. Look for finch to keep wing defenders fresh and for ball hamdlers to see many different defenders between Dante, Jayden, Ant, Ayo, and even Terrance Shannon. All equal to better athletes than Murray.
I think you’re overestimating the extent to which the wolves pose a matchup problem. My recollection was the biggest issue they posed was being able to guard Jokic with big bodies like KAT and Reid while leaving Gobert free to roam the paint. Don’t see this working with Julius Randle on Jokic. Combo of this and the Nuggets simply being better this year would make me surprised if this series goes 7. I think the Nuggets win in 5 or 6
I'm telling y'all, the wolves get different when ant enters playoff mode. Wolves have absolute fighters on the team but they can't fake motivation, and this regular season that showed.
They will be properly motivated and they will play like hell this series.
The last month doesn't matter as much as people think.
I'm excited for everyone to learn how little they've actually been following the Nuggets this year and finally understanding that we aren't second round exit hopefuls.
As a Wolves fan, you have to be non emotional : on paper, Denver should be favored, probably in 5–6. But people who watched this team all year know the Wolves have played bored, arrogant and uneven for long stretches, and Chris Finch has basically said they still have another gear. 
What makes this version different is the added depth. Ayo Dosunmu has been a real factor since the February trade, averaging about 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with Minnesota, while Bones Hyland caught fire late, hitting 40.0% from three over the last 30 days. Add a healthy Ant, Kyle Anderson’s size against Denver’s forwards, and Donte finally looking comfortable in big moments, and this matchup feels less clean than it does on paper. 
So yes, Denver should be favored. But if the Wolves actually wake ip this is the kind of team that could beat Spurs next round.
What PRS guitars are those? One looks like a CE model
Jokic defense is really elite he understands at the highest level whoever he is guarding is gonna miss more shots than they make against him just off the opponents shot selection . Joker uses that to his advantage and he doesn’t have to do as much on defense cause the opponents shot selection they shoot themselves out lol! You guys really have to watch him play seriously !
The games this year are the only ones that matter as the nuggets team from 2 years ago isn't the one from this year. Same with the wolves. You are trying to compare apples and oranges it is exceptionally silly.
I like your haircut
Wow surprising he chose the nuggets. Not. He always chooses against the wolves! He’s a total hater. And the wolves always win despite his predictions! Get ready.
There’s honestly no one more detailed than this guy
You need to put down the crack pipe. Maybe if the Nuggets lose 3 starters, but otherwise this is going to be a cakewalk.
I think your way off here. Nuggets are way better than two seasons ago.
Nuggets beat the Wolves in the first round they won the ship in ‘23. If Nuggets win its a battle and the perfect tune up for a deep playoff run
I think Denver is more comfortable playing Minnesota this time than San Antonio, no more Kat like in 2024, they have to guard jokic with Rudy or a smaller guy and it’s not as tough for denver
Appreciated Jason's in depth description of how these two teams have played each other in the past. I emphasize 'in the past.' But this is a better and deeper Nuggets team than past versions. Maybe even better than the chip team. And I say that even if Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones aren't available. W/out the stunning, overwhelming number and severity of injuries to the entire roster this year Denver wins well over 60 games. On top of that I think this Wolves team is a slightly diminished version from the past few years. The loss of Alexander-Walker by itself changes the dynamics. He played a huge role in slowing Denver's offense. I don't think this is going 7. Nuggets in 6 and I wouldn't be shocked if they won in 5.
Minnesota doesnt match up as well as they did last time we played them. Their second best defender is in Atlanta and KAT actually played Jokic way better then Rudy ever has. Jokic sees BBQ when Rudy is infront of him. (in my shaq voice)
These two teams aren't the same as they were 2 years ago or even last year. The bench cost the Nuggets a lot of games last year but actually had a bench advantage against most teams this year. Minnesota's bench will struggle against Denver's in this series. I have Nuggets in 6 but wouldn't be surprised at all if it went 5.
Wolves in 6
Wolves transition game is much better since picking up Ayo. Bones just might torch his old team. Earlier this year, Randle showed he can legit guard Jokic. The playoff whistle allows MNs defense to be uber-aggressive. Denver's defense – especially rim protection – remains an issue for them