“We got Mike Conley back. That was it.” This was Anthony Edwards’ reaction to why the Minnesota Timberwolves demolished the Denver Nuggets 115-70 in a raucous Target Center. Conley was missed in Game 5 after suffering a sore right Achilles tendon. The return of the veteran allowed Edwards to play his more comfortable role of playing off the ball and allowing Conley to marshal the team on the floor. The loss was stunning given that the Nuggets led the game 9-2, and the Timberwolves seized control of the game with a 27-2 run filled with turnovers, fastbreaks, and an avalanche of three-point buckets. It means we are heading to a decisive Game 7 on Sunday to conclude a thrilling series. In the other Western Conference Semifinals series, the Dallas Mavericks will look to capitalize on home-court advantage by looking to close out the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6. In the East, the New York Knicks will host the Indiana Pacers and look to advance to their first Conference Finals in two decades. In this article, we will preview and predict these games this weekend.
1. Game 6- 1. Oklahoma City Thunder at 5 Dallas Mavericks-8:00 PM EST ABC
Luka Doncic had one of the best performances of this playoff run by notching 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to grab the pivotal Game 5 and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series. The Mavericks were red-hot offensively by shooting 52.6% from the floor, while the Thunder struggled with 42.5% shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the lone spark for the Thunder 30 points from the field. In Game 6, the biggest question is how the young Thunder will respond in a precarious and unfamiliar spot as a squad in the playoffs. Mark Daigneault is the Coach of the Year winner and will have his team ready to play. However, I think Kyrie Irving will deliver the knockout blow on Saturday Night by being aggressive and scoring the basketball. Irving is a closer, and he is undefeated with a 13-0 record in that scenario. I think the unbeaten streak and Irving scores nearly 40 points for a thrilling six-point win.
Mavs 110-Thunder 103
2. Game 7- 6. Indian Pacers at 2. New York Knicks-3:30 PM EST ABC
After losing Game 5 by a 121-91 margin, the Pacers flipped the script on the Knicks by winning 116-103. Pascal Siakam scored 25 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The difference in the game was the depth off the bench, with T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin scoring a combined 26 points. After losing OG Anunoby for most of the series, the Knicks will be concerned about the status of Josh Hart, who suffered an abdominal strain. Anunoby has the potential to return on Sunday, but it is doubtful how much he will be able to contribute. Jalen Brunson is the star, but Josh Hart is the heartbeat of the team. With the tip-off on Sunday Afternoon, it will mean less rest for the home team. It will be the first Game 7 in Madison Square Garden since the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals which the Knicks lost to the Reggie Miller-led team. However, I still favor the Knicks because the home team is undefeated in this series, and I can’t trust the young Pacers on the road. I have the Knicks prevailing and pulling away late.
Knicks 105-Pacers 94.
3. Game 7- 3. Minnesota Timberwolves vs 2. Denver Nuggets-8:00 PM TNT
The Nuggets were considered favorites to end the Timberwolves season on Thursday Night in Game 6. Instead, the Timberwolves dominated the Nuggets and reminded the defending champions that this fight would go to the last round. Nikola Jokic scored 22 points and provided 2 assists which is a mediocre performance by his lofty standard. The big concern for the Nuggets is the injuries to Jamaal Murray, who has battled knee injuries and now an elbow injury. In the regular season, the Nuggets were 29-6 when Murray scored 20 or more points and 28-19 when he scored fewer than the threshold. In the playoffs, the Nuggets are 5-1 when he scores 20 or more points and 2-3 when he doesn’t. Murray will likely play, but his effectiveness on the court will determine whether the champs survive this series. The Timberwolves must maintain their defensive intensity into Game 7 by limiting every player except Jokic. I had predicted before the series that I had the Nuggets winning in 7 games and I am sticking to the prediction. I think it will be difficult to beat Denver a third time in one series in the Mile High City, and Jokic will aim to deliver a historic performance. However, I think Anthony Edwards will keep the Timberwolves in the game, and it will be decided on the execution in the last two minutes.
Denver 114-Minesotta 111.