I bet them at ASAP +20-1 before the series. Despite their inexperience, I felt Minnesota to be a bit fraudulent, only one totally traditional superstar, some rebounding issues, no history of getting past the first round, no Hudson. One home desperation win does not a turnaround make, but it was the type which a coach can use legitimately use to convince his team of the plausibility of a complete reversal. Big pressure on Minn. that they don't get tripped up by a team led emotionally by a midget with a cartoon character's name...BOYNKINS! Certainly at +3.5/4, the Nuggets are solid for game 4, IMO.
dunno...check out the histories of Garnett, Sprewell and Cassell with their respective teams late in the year over the past three years...not good at all pk/fav on the road. I bet the Nuggets first half this past game figuring at least a good initial effort, but this result was more indicative of a team which had forgotten how well it could play and who may have been a bit daunted by both its first playoff game in ages AND on the road vs. a team on a roll. The luster is off the T-Wolves now. If the Knicks lost today, be sure Mutombo will be down there for the next game with a pep talk and in the stands. Garnett's mania for nearly every game reminds me of how Riley's Heat used to show up for 80% of their regular season games as if they were playoff games, only to run out of gas in the playoffs. From mid-March on over past 4 years, Wolves have gone 0-7 ATS after a win streak ends, excluding a big road fav spot over horrific Griz (at the time). Look at Nuggets record after they break a losing streak when they have 1-2 days off!!
OK, have I become one to fade that quickly?
Minny hasn't established itself like the Spurs or old Bulls as a team which automatically "takes care of business" after a playoff loss. And although Cassell and Sprewell have meshed well with KG, it normally takes more than a year for a "Big Three" to go far.
dolphin.....I admire your optimism, but I think you will wake up after game 4.
All of those regular season angles don't apply now. And Minny's past playoff performances are meaningless, IMO.
This is a whole new team. A focused, more talented team. They will not be denied by a team that's just glad to be there.
I like the Nuggets and they are a spunky team on the rise. But taking out the T-Wolves is nothing but a dream to these pups!
GL
GP
All of those regular season angles don't apply now. And Minny's past playoff performances are meaningless, IMO.
This is a whole new team. A focused, more talented team. They will not be denied by a team that's just glad to be there.
I like the Nuggets and they are a spunky team on the rise. But taking out the T-Wolves is nothing but a dream to these pups!
GL
GP
