The Swarming Timberwolves Defense is Stifling The Nuggets

Things got so bad for the Denver Nuggets that a towel and heat pack were thrown on the court, and chants of "Wolves in 4" echoed throughout the Nugget's own arena at the end of game two of their Western Conference semifinal matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves' defense appeared to be squeezing life out of the Denver Nuggets' offense, which only scored 80 points in an NBA playoff game. That's right, the defending NBA Champions only scored 80 points in a playoff game on their own home court.

The Wolves had the highest-ranked defense in the league during the regular season and are now 6-0 in the playoffs.

After the game, Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch said "We've had some really, really good defensive efforts this year, but that has to be right up there with the best of them."

“On the ball, off the ball, the physicality, execution of the game plan, doing it over and over and over again. It requires a physical and mental toughness—they had that,” added Finch.

Jamal Murray was so frustrated during the game that he threw a towel and heat pack at a referee, which made its way into the game.

I didn't actually see it happen," Finch said. "And the way it was explained to me, the referees didn't see it either. So they're not able to issue a technical unless they see it. We tried to impress upon them there probably aren't many fans in the building who have a heat pack, so it probably had to come from the bench. Which they found logical.

"It's inexcusable and dangerous. I'm sure it was just a mistake and an oversight. I'm sure there was nothing intentional by the officiating at all. But certainly can't allow that to happen."

"I didn't know it was thrown onto the court," Anthony Edwards said with a laugh. "That's crazy."

"I saw it," Karl Anthony Towns added. "I was just more worried about making the layup."

THE UNDERRATED OPINION
I'm sure Denver will make adjustments for games 3 and 4 in Minnesota, but if the Wolves play as they did in game two, the Nuggets may have played their last home game of the season.