The stage is set for an electrifying showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second-round of the Western Conference playoffs. With both teams being among the best-performing units in the 2023-24 regular season and having split their regular-season meetings, excitement is at an all-time high.

Shannon Sharpe predicts that the defending champions will emerge victorious and advance into the 2024 WC Finals as he trusts Nikola Jokic to be the X-Factor. ‘Shay Shay’ belives that the Nuggets center will only make the Timberwolves’ big men, Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony Towns suffer more and more as the series goes deeper.

“I’m going to take the Nuggets three best players over the Minnesota Timberwolves three best players,” Sharpe said. “I’m taking the Nuggets because I think Ant-man and Jamal Murray can play to a standstill. Karl-Anthony Towns is gonna have to have the series of his life because Nikola Jokic is the real deal…. He’s going to make mincemeat of Rudy Gobert.”

SAS feels a different player will be the X-Factor for the Nuggets

Sharpe sees Jokic as the key for the Nuggets, especially considering how he averaged 33.3 points and 11.8 rebounds in the four regular-season matchups against the Timberwolves. Even though ‘The Joker’ outshadowed the 3-time French DPOY, who averaged 12.7 points and 13.0 rebounds in those contests, Stephen A. Smith offers a contrasting viewpoint.

The 56-year-old analyst believes that Jamal Murray is key to Denver’s success. In SAS’ view, Murray, who appeared in Game 5 against the Lakers with a strapped-up calf injury, must return to total health if the Nuggets hope to overcome the Timberwolves.

“If Jamal Murray is healthy, Denver wins this series in seven games,” Smith said. “If he ain’t, they lose.”

The Timberwolves’ only way to top the Nuggets is by containing Jokic

Murray’s value comes mainly from carrying the Nuggets’ scoring load, despite his heroics in the first round series with two game-winning baskets. He doesn’t have the same effect or influence as Jokic on Denver’s efforts on the floor from both ends.

Game 5 gave the rest of the league a blueprint on how to restrict the Serbian center, even though the two-time MVP averaged 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game against the Purple and Gold in the opening round. Seven turnovers in that game were the result of persistent pressure applied to him.

Whether Minnesota will adopt the same strategy remains to be seen, but they for sure have the personell of defensive stalwarts, led by a hungry young killer in Ant. The battle for the WCF will be must-watch television.