MINNEAPOLIS – Most of the heavy lifting was already done, and it looked like the Timberwolves were headed for hibernation.
Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. orchestrated an absurd 11-0 run over the final two minutes of regulation in Sunday’s gripping Game 4 of their first-round playoff series, putting the Nuggets on the precipice of the first sweep in franchise history.
Down 96-95 with 12 seconds left, Jokic went to the free-throw line for two looks, a place he hadn’t visited once in Friday’s Game 3. On a night when the two-time reigning MVP scored 43 points on 26 shots, including five 3-pointers, Jokic missed. His errant free throw changed the complexion of the comeback and the game.
“We had (an) opportunity,” lamented Jokic, who made the second free throw to force overtime only to see Minnesota dominate the extra session. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Denver.
First Jokic took the blame for missing the free throw. If he had made both, maybe the Wolves would have missed a final shot.
Then he took even more culpability for a couple of missed floaters in overtime, shots he’s accustomed to burying. When his final 3-pointer missed, Jokic slumped his shoulders in disappointment. Denver’s valiant comeback attempt fell short.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone was most disappointed in his team’s defense, which had yielded just 16 points in the fourth quarter but conceded 18 in the extra session.
“That’s the hardest thing to stomach about this game,” he said.
Minnesota shot 75% in the overtime session. It hit four 3-pointers, including a banked triple from the corner via Mike Conley. Some of the baskets were the result of defensive breakdowns. Others, like Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s second 3-pointer of the session, came despite a quality contest. Anthony Edwards swerved through Denver’s defense for one devastating layup, then loaded up for the dagger over Aaron Gordon. His devilish step-back 3-pointer with 12 seconds left iced it.
And the worst part about it?
“We’re supposed to make someone else beat us,” Jokic said from the postgame podium, referring to Edwards.
The sting was just a little bit worse because of what the Nuggets nearly did: sweep their divisional rivals into the offseason.
Jamal Murray said history was on their minds, a benchmark that their point guard said mattered to them.
“We had a great opportunity to do something we haven’t done,” he said.
Murray, with Alexander-Walker hounding him for 94 feet most of the night, struggled with the defensive attention. He managed just 19 points on 8-for-21 shooting. He said the team wasn’t overtly down – after all, they still own a commanding 3-1 lead over the No. 8 seed – he just wanted to hang another accolade on the wall.
“We really wanted to … we came here (after) Game 2, really wanted to close it out,” Murray said. “That’s a missed opportunity.”
After reviewing film and implementing adjustments, Murray vowed he’d be better. But it was unfair to say he was downtrodden. It was a missed opportunity to make history, and nothing more.
The opportunity to advance, which is all that really matters this time of year, is still on the doorstep.
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