The Denver Nuggets (57-25) are in action tonight with the Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26) for Game 4 in what could be the most pivotal game of the series thus far. After getting handled in the first two games, Denver bounced back with a decisive win in Game 3. Denver has the chance to regain homecourt advantage tonight with a win while the Timberwolves can take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

For Denver, Game 3 was the version of Nuggets’ basketball we had come to expect from them during this era. They won the turnover and rebound battles while shooting the ball well from outside and stifling the Timberwolves’ offense. After having the game taken to them in Games 1 & 2, Denver was the aggressor. They’ll need that energy again tonight to even up the series.

For the Timberwolves, their main hope is going to be that Game 3 was an outlier for Denver. The Nuggets shot 48 percent from 3-point range while Minnesota shot 30 percent. Minnesota dominated the first two games with their brand of basketball, and they have a winning formula. It’s going to come down to whether or not they’ll be able to implement that formula again tonight.

The Essentials

Who: Denver Nuggets (57-25, 24-17 away) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26, 30-11 home)

When: 6:00 p.m. MST

Where: Target Center

How to watch/listen: Denver Stiffs does not condone piracy..unless it’s the romanticized 18th-century type. TNT. 92.5 FM KKSE Altitude Sports Radio

Expected Starting Lineups:

MIN: PG Mike Conley, SG Anthony Edwards, SF Jaden McDaniels, PF Karl Anthony-Towns, C Rudy Gobert

DEN: PG Jamal Murray, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SF Michael Porter Jr., PF Aaron Gordon, C Nikola Jokic

Injuries: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdomen) QUESTIONABLE, Reggie Jackson (calf) QUESTIONABLE, Jamal Murray (calf) QUESTIONABLE, 

Things to Watch

Can Denver do it again?

In Game 3, the Nuggets played with a different level of energy and physicality compared to Games 1 & 2. That no doubt took more energy from them, and the question becomes whether or not they can do that again. The Nuggets are still dealing with nagging soft-tissue injuries in their backcourt, and the Timberwolves are a young and hungry team with a ton of motivation. Which team wins out?

Slowing Anthony Edwards

In Game 3, the Nuggets held Anthony Edwards below his recent standards on an 8-of-15 shooting night from the field, and they never let him really drag the team back into the game. Christian Braun had a decent level of success against him, or at least as much as could be expected against a player of Ant’s caliber. The question becomes whether or not the Nuggets can do that again tonight. Keeping him as in check as possible remains their top priority every night.\