Wolves Progress to Conference Semi-Finals

Minnesota 4-2 Denver

 

Game 1: Minnesota Win [125-118]

Minnesota came into game 1 as the experts picks favourite to win the series with 100% of the votes and game 1 had everyone scratching their heads as to whether Denver had not been given enough credit. Denver pushed Minnesota right to the final buzzer behind a 30/10/5 performance from MPJ and a 36 and 6 with 3 steal performance from franchise star Donovan Mitchell. But were outshone by Minnesota’s star duo with Anthony Davis putting up 32 and 15 and Jimmy Butler going for 28/5/9 on 50% shooting. The Player of the game performance (POTG) however did not go to either of the duos with the man in the middle for Minnesota Jonas Valanciunas putting up 28 and 11 with 5 blocks on 12/17 from the floor.

Game 2: Denver Win [124-116]

Game 2 saw the first big upset from Denver proving much too good and shooting the lights out with splits of 52/53/90. Minnesotas star duo once again put in huge performances with AD dropping 31 and 14 and Jimmy Butler while struggling to do it efficiently put up 32 and 5 assists. Donovan was big for Denver with a 39 and 7 performance, but the POTG went to Klay Thompson who finished with 34/4/6 with 3 steals and a +17 while also proving to be too much for Jimmy Butler defensively.

 

 

 

Game 3: Denver Win [117-115]

Denver despite not being picked to win the series by any of the expert picks has taken a 2-1 series lead with once again insane shooting splits of 51/52/100. Minnesotas Jimmy Butler once again tried hard with 36 and 7 but was unable to get Minnesota over the line missing the half court heave to win. Denver saw their first sign of Sabonis like numbers with the big man dropping 14/14/5 and their “Alfred” Michael Porter Jr with 23/7/5 but it was their franchise star Donovan Mitchell with a 40 point, 12 assist performance and the go ahead 3 to win the game for Denver coming away with the POTG performance.

Game 4: Minnesota Win [132-128]

Denver continued their outrageous shooting ways shooting 54% from deep and a massive performance from Donovan Mitchell with 46/8/9 with a huge chance to take a 3-1 lead and put massive amounts of pressure on Minnesota were beaten by a Jimmy Butler performance for the ages. Minnesota must have been studying Denver’s plays as they couldn’t miss with splits of 54/53/89. AD pitched in for 21/12/5 but the POTG went to Jimmy Butler going “playoff Jimmy” with a 44/5/7 night as well as locking Klay Thompson completely out of the game.

Game 5: Minnesota Win [136-133]

With the series tied Denver came out and torched the nets from deep shooting 66% and looked every bit of a threat to steal another Minnesota home game. Sabonis and Donovan Mitchell were big for Denver with Sabonis finishing with 20/12/4 and Donovan 37/3/8 on 71% from 3. However, ran into a buzzsaw with one of the best performances we’ve ever seen from a star duo in the playoffs. Kevon Looney entered the starting unit providing more freedom for Anthony Davis finished with 48 and 16 on 21/29 and Jimmy Butler going for 44/3/5. Despite these performances Denver had Minnesota right to the very end with Klay Thompson hitting a heavily contested game tying 3 with 3.3 seconds left on the clock and it looked like we were going to OT. Enter Playoff Jimmy, with no timeouts left to advance the ball Butler let loose a prayer from the Denver’s 3-point line with 1.4 seconds on the clock that was answered! Heartbreak for Denver, Minnesota take game 5 by the skin of their teeth.

Game 6: Minnesota Win [132-105]

 Denver went back home after a shock defeat from a near full court buzzer beater and looked a shell of themselves. Unable to get anything going from anyone except Donovan Mitchell who again was fantastic with 32 and 6. Minnesota put away the game to win the series 4-2 rather convincingly behind performances from Kevon Looney 23 and 9 and AD 23/15/4. However POTG once again went to the man Playoff Jimmy with 35 and 7 including 17 of 17 from the FT line.

An amazing series full of drama and near wins to extend the series sees Minnesota advance 4-2. Denver with a huge fight as the underdogs but the star power proved too much to overcome. Minnesota proved they are legit behind the performances of their star duo and will take on the Houston Rockets in round 2.

 

Series top performers:

Denver:

·         Donovan Mitchell – 38.3ppg, 8apg, 49/49/93

·         Michael Porter Jr – 20.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 3.2apg, 55/75/81

Minnesota:

·         Playoff Jimmy – 36.5ppg, 3rpg, 6.7apg, 52/39/100

·         Anthony Davis – 28.3ppg, 13.5rpg, 2bpg, 68/60/76

Series MVP: Jimmy Butler