{"id":716157,"date":"2026-04-22T21:30:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/716157\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T21:30:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:30:16","slug":"nuggets-vs-timberwolves-3-keys-to-a-denver-win-in-game-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/716157\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | 3 keys to a Denver win in Game 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since 1984, the team that wins Game 3 of a series after a 1-1 start goes on to win the series 71.8% of the time.<\/p>\n

That advantage is up for grabs Thursday in Minneapolis. Here are three keys for Denver to reverse momentum and reclaim the series lead:<\/p>\n

1. MVP > DPOY<\/p>\n

Through two games of the series, Rudy Gobert has gotten the better of Nikola Jokic.<\/p>\n

That must change. Minnesota ditched the strategy of having Gobert hang around the rim while a forward takes on Jokic and had the four-time Defensive Player of the Year go one-on-one against the three-time Most Valuable Player. Jokic was accustomed to soundly winning those battles, but Gobert has held Jokic to 48.7% from the field and 21.4% from 3-point range. Jokic has looked dominant in the third quarter of both games. Game 1\u2019s takeover was largely against Gobert, while his Game 2 success came with Gobert sidelined with foul trouble. However Game 3 shakes out, Denver needs more from Jokic over the course of the full game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also really believe a lot of the shots that Joker missed are shots that he makes most of the time and has in the past whether it\u2019s Gobert or any other great defender in our league,\u201d Nuggets coach David Adelman said after Wednesday\u2019s practice at Ball Arena. \u201cWe have a ton of respect for Rudy and what he does. It\u2019s my job to put Nikola in different spots on the court. I thought he got it in tight spots on the post. He got good looks from 3. I believe those shots will go down, if we continue to do what we do, knowing that we have a ton of respect for what Rudy can do as a defender.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DenverDenver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defend Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during game 1 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Saturday, April 19, 2026. The Nuggets won the game 116-105. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)<\/p>\n

2. Take it personal<\/p>\n

The Nuggets said all the right things after Jaden McDaniels took aim at Denver\u2019s defense after Game 2.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it caught anybody off-guard. He\u2019s kind of speaking his truth and what he believes,\u201d Nuggets guard Christian Braun said Wednesday. \u201cWe\u2019ll allow them to do that. We kind of want to take care of our own things and make sure we handle our business on our side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Braun added that if a player needs bulletin-board material to get fired up ahead of a playoff game, that player probably isn\u2019t in the right headspace to start. The Nuggets\u2019 coach dismissed the comments, joking he can\u2019t wait for McDaniels\u2019 podcast. \u201cHe\u2019s a really good player,\u201d Adelman said, pouring some water on the fire. \u201cEverybody has a sounding board nowadays. It will help his social media.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking McDaniels\u2019 shots personally, even if it happens privately, will give a team of nice guys a helpful edge in Game 3.<\/p>\n

\"DenverDenver Nuggets Head Coach David Adelman gives instruction while Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) takes the ball down the court during game 1 of round 1 of the NBA Championships at Ball Arena on Saturday, April 19, 2026. The Nuggets won the game 116-105. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)<\/p>\n

3. Take care of the rock<\/p>\n

Through two games, the Nuggets have a total of 23 turnovers. That\u2019s typically a recipe for success. Jokic is responsible for eight of those turnovers with three of them coming on miscommunications in the first quarter of Game 1 that weren\u2019t entirely his fault. Jamal Murray has committed six turnovers, a reasonable number given the amount of offensive responsibility he carries, and Minnesota\u2019s length. If the Timberwolves speed up the Nuggets and that number rises in Games 3 or 4 at Target Center, Denver\u2019s looking at an uphill battle to get out of the first round for a fourth consecutive season.<\/p>\n


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