Timberwolves dominate, Knicks win another thriller; PSG vs. Dortmund UCL semifinals preview

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Good morning everyone, but especially…

THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AND THE NEW YORK KNICKS

Wolves are known as ruthless hunters who dominate those who dare challenge them.

O Timber WolvesAs it turns out, it can do that too.

Minnesota crushed the Nuggets 106-80 in a comprehensive defeat that was somehow even more devastating than the impressive score indicates. Minnesota leads the defending champions 2-0.

• It’s the biggest road playoff win in Timberwolves history.
• Antonio Eduardo It is Karl-Anthony Cities both scored 27 points; Nickeil Alexander-Walker It is naz reid had 14 each off the bench.
• Minnesota outgunned Denver in the paint 52-34, blocked a team playoff record 12 shots and held Denver to a season-low in points.
• Oh, and they did it all without Rudy Gobertthe likely future four-time Defensive Player of the Year, who missed the game for the birth of his first child.

The Timberwolves are excellent on both ends. Let’s start with the defense, which disrupted the Nuggets’ offensive flow. Nikola JokicGenerally considered the greatest player on the planet, he looks incredibly ordinary, his majestic game dwarfed by the Timberwolves’ length, strength, versatility, activity and excellent game plan. Jamal Murray I can’t get no separation against the defensive sages Jaden McDaniels and Alexander-Walker.

Offensively, Towns’ tantalizing all-around game is coming to life, and the Nuggets have no answer for his combination of size, shooting and ability to put him on the deck and score. Edwards is terrorizing Denver’s smaller backcourt. Everything is working magnificently.

O KnicksThe endgame magic, however, continues, led by one of the best players to call The Garden home in a long, long time. Jalen Brunson scored 21 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Knicks to a 121-117 Game 1 victory over the Pacemakers.

Bruno joined some historic company in the process. He is the…

• fourth player with four consecutive 40-point games, joining Michael Jordan, Bernard King It is Jerry West
• first player with at least 40 points and five assists in four consecutive playoff games

Brad Botkin says: “We have to start thinking ‘Is Jalen Brunson the best point guard in the league?’ conversation.” And he’s right. But Brunson wasn’t alone. The ‘Nova Knicks were in full force: Donte DiVincenzo hit the 3-pointer with less than a minute left and Josh Hart had 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. This team is tough, fun and very good, led by this trio.

I called it “endgame magic,” but it was also “endgame luck.” More on that in a bit.

Honorable mentions

And it’s not such a good day for…

THE INDIANA PACERS AND THE DENVER NUGGETS

There’s no other way to say it: The Pacers got a brutal whistle in Game 1.

• DiVincenzo’s 3-pointer came after the referees called a kicked ball Aaron Nesmith in what was a clean robbery. The post-game report acknowledged it was the wrong decision. Kicked ball calls, for some reason, cannot be challenged.
• With 12 seconds left, down to one, Miles Turner was called to a moving screen against DiVincenzo, who showed that he belongs on Broadway as well as the Garden with his excellent acting work. This time, Rick Carlisle challenged, but in vain. In any case, it was always unlikely that the referees would overturn a judgment made moments before. It was – at best – a questionable decision.
• turner wait “Screaming Things” in the league’s Last Two Minutes Report.

Botkin also criticized the refereeing.

“Also, spare me the ‘it’s so hard to be an NBA official’ sympathetic note. Of course it is hard. That’s why these men and women must be the best of the best. Same as an NBA player, either of whom would be absolutely devastated if they made so many mistakes in the final two minutes of a shootout game,” wrote Botkin.

To be very, very clear, the Pacers didn’t help themselves down the stretch either. You create your own luck and the Pacers didn’t create enough. They had some terrible comebacks. Tyrese Haliburton It’s clearly not healthy. He scored just six points on 2-of-6 shooting — tied for his second-fewest shots. attempted like a Pacer. But the refereeing didn’t help and Indiana lost a game they could have won.

Denver, on the other hand, had no chance of winning and, unless there are major changes, has no chance of recovering. The Nuggets – so used to destroying opposing defenses – look shockingly insecure, unable to adjust and, frankly, overwhelmed. What is most impressive is that they are being defeated. Exaggerated. Resistant.

Murray had a side explosion late in the first half, when he scored two points on 1-of-10 shooting and barked at the officials seemingly nonstop. Jokic was equally frustrated. michael malone He lost complete control and somehow didn’t even receive a technical, let alone get sent off. It was a horrible night for everyone, and Malone didn’t mince words after the game.

“They kicked our ass. So yeah, that got away from us,” Malone said.

If Game 1 was a punch in the gut, Game 2 was a knockdown. We’ll see if the Nuggets come off the screen and counter.

Not-so-honorable mentions

PSG hosts Borussia Dortmund with a place in the UEFA Champions League final at stake

Today we have a finalist. PSG host Borussia Dortmundhoping to overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. Here’s how to watch.

Jonathan Johnson says it is PSG’s biggest ever game at Parc des Princesand adding to the drama is Kylian Mbappé becoming a free agent at the end of the season. Leading the club to their first Champions League title would enhance their already legendary status for the French giants.

After Mbappe and his teammates missed many opportunities last week, Tom Fornelli expect both sides to capitalize on their chances with their corner selections.

• FornellI: “I can’t help but believe that Dortmund needed a two-goal lead if they wanted a realistic chance of going through, but the price for PSG is too high. My instinct is for PSG to score two goals before Dortmund pull one back, only to see PSG finish late. So yes, I’ll spread it a bit on PSG to win 3-1 (+950), but the much more logical bet is on both teams to score. the first game to think we will see another clean sheet this week. The pick: Both teams will score (-155)“

You can see all of our experts’ picks here.

Victor Wembanyama unanimously elected Rookie of the Year

Victor Wembanyama exceeded even the highest expectations in his historically excellent rookie season in the NBA. Monday, he received recognition for it. Wembanyama was Unanimously elected Rookie of the Yearbecoming the sixth unanimous winner of all time.

Wembanyama averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists, led the league with 3.6 blocks per game and had so many ridiculous stat lines that looking for comparisons was a fool’s errand, noted Sam Quinn in March. Wembanyama was the…

• 21st rookie to average 20 points and 10 rebounds, and first since Blake Griffin in 2010-11
• Eighth rookie to average 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists, and first since then Griffin in 2010-11
• ONLY rookie to average 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks

Wembanyama showed balance in a difficult season for his Spurs (22-60) and played in 71 games, which is no small feat for someone his size. Even as a lost season ended, he continued to improve: He had a 40-point, 20-rebound, seven-assist game in late March against the Knicks. Over the course of the year, he made the spectacular look comically easy on both sides.

Overall, it was an incredible debut, duly capped off with some hardware. This summer, Wemby will represent France at the Olympics as the Spurs hope to surround him with talent and build another dynasty around their latest superstar.

What will we watch on Tuesday

PSG x Borussia Dortmund3pm on Paramount+
Game 1: Cavaliers at Celtics7pm on TNT
Game 2: Hurricanes at Rangers7pm on ESPN
Stars in the Yankees7:05 pm on TBS
Game 1: Mavericks at Thunder9:30 pm on TNT
Game 1: Avalanche in the Stars9:30 pm on ESPN