DENVER (AP) \u2014 The main actors remain the same for Minnesota-Denver, Part III. The plot line is similar, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut a totally different movie,\u201d Nuggets\u00a0coach David Adelman<\/a>\u00a0said.<\/p>\n Grab the popcorn and recline back because the headliners always seem to put on a show. The series between the Timberwolves and Nuggets, featuring\u00a0Anthony Edwards<\/a>, Rudy Gobert,\u00a0Nikola Jokic<\/a>\u00a0and Jamal Murray, becomes the third installment over the last four postseasons. Each team has won a series.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything else to call it but a rivalry,\u201d Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards said of a first-round matchup that kicks off Saturday.<\/p>\n It certainly checks all the boxes to place that rivalry label on it: Close games (14-14 over 28 regular season and playoff contests since 2022). Close proximity (both reside in the Northwest Division). Close relationships (plenty of front office and coaching crossover).<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s weird to shake their hands after the series, because you know those guys so well,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n The Nuggets won in five games over the Timberwolves in 2023 on their march to the franchise’s first NBA title. A year later, the Wolves\u00a0erased a 20-point deficit<\/a>\u00a0in Game 7 to beat Denver in the second round. Minnesota made it to the Western Conference finals.<\/p>\n \u201cGood teams are built to beat good teams,\u201d Adelman explained.<\/p>\n Good teams also know each other well. The Nuggets will focus on Edwards, who averaged 30.3 points against them this season. He fully expects to draw a crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cBut nothing they\u2019re going to throw at me that\u2019s unexpected,\u201d Edwards said.<\/p>\n Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, will be the center of attention for Minnesota. He’s averaged 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 42 career regular-season games against Minnesota. Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year,\u00a0will draw the responsibility<\/a>\u00a0of limiting Jokic. Murray, who is Jokic’s pick-and-roll partner, also is a dynamic factor.<\/p>\n \u201cThe teams are both just really talented. We\u2019re both physical teams,\u201d Nuggets guard Christian Braun said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be a tough first-round matchup.\u201d<\/p>\n The latest chapter of the rivalry has a slightly different supporting cast than the last time they met in the playoffs. In for the Nuggets is Cameron Johnson instead of Michael Porter Jr. Taking the floor for the Timberwolves is Julius Randle as opposed to Karl-Anthony Towns.<\/p>\n \u201cThe players are really locked in,\u201d Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. \u201cWe should have fun. This is why we’re playing. It’s our job to keep the guys on point, focused and a little bit on edge. That’s when we’re at our best.”<\/p>\n There are so many ties between the franchise as well.<\/p>\n First and foremost, Tim Connelly, the president of basketball operations for the Timberwolves whose fingerprints are all over building the Denver roster after his time in the Mile High City.<\/p>\n