Lunch Special: What’s the key matchup to watch in Nuggets vs. Timberwolves?

Gina Mizell on Wednesday answered questions from readers about the Nuggets’ regular season finale against the Timberwolves. Here are the highlights:

What’s the key matchup to watch in tonight’s game?

Gina: The obvious matchup/personnel storyline heading into tonight’s game is the return of both Jimmy Butler and Gary Harris, who both did not play in last Thursday’s Nuggets win in Denver. Butler was obviously playing at an all-star level before his knee injury but has particularly torched the Nuggets — most notably when he scored every point of OT in that win here right after Christmas. And how much run does Harris get in his second game back from injury? He looked pretty solid in 18 minutes off the bench Monday and would not give a glimpse into how much pain he’s currently feeling. But he could have an impact on both ends of the floor tonight.

How big of a factor do you think the refs will be tonight? I could see the TWolves getting home-cooking but could also see the refs just let both teams play.

Gina: Man, I hope we’re not talking about the refs after this game. That would be a massive bummer. I’d tend to lean that they’ll let these guys play. Everybody in the building will understand what’s at stake tonight. With that said, I could see the Nuggets really trying to go after Karl-Anthony Towns tonight. He’s fouled out the last two times he’s faced the Nuggets.

Back in December, Jimmy Butler scored 8 points in the last 1:30 of the game and the Nuggets just had no answer for him as the TWolves won by 8 at Pepsi Center. What could they do differently tonight to neutralize him?

Gina: Not just that, but as I mentioned before, he scored every single point of OT in Minnesota’s win here right after Christmas. So how Denver tries to neutralize him is, by far, the biggest question of the night. If Michael Malone keeps Harris coming off the bench (like Monday), does Wilson Chandler initially guard Butler? Or Will Barton? How much to we see Torrey Craig? Can Denver’s defense be good enough to force Minnesota to need guys like Andrew Wiggins to hit big shots? Should be a lot of fun to see that chess match unfold.

So if this game comes down to the final shot, who do you personally want to see take it? And who do you think WILL take it?

Gina: Kiz and I debated this a couple weeks ago. The Nuggets want the offense to run through Jokic, who is trusted to make the correct play. Different guys have obviously been in that spot — Gary Harris, Will Barton, Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap. This is such a cop-out answer, but I think the guy who is open will shoot it.

How did the Nuggets manage to get Torrey Craig to basically play the whole season on a two-way contract? Did they sign him and I just missed it?

Gina: He is still on his two-way deal, so you didn’t miss anything in that regard. The Nuggets (and other NBA teams who utilized their two-way guys) got creative this season by limiting how much he was truly involved in team activities on non-game days. If Craig did not practice with the team, that day did not “count” toward his 45. If he traveled commercially to a road game, that day did not count. And then once the G League season ended around March 24 or so,  the 45-day thing was over he was free to fully participate without any restrictions. The catch? Two-way players cannot be on the playoff roster. So, as of now, Craig would not be able to play in the postseason if the Nuggets win tonight.

I know we’re in flyover country so I think I know the answer…but do the Nuggets figure to get any attention in the postseason awards?

Gina: I think you’ll see a couple guys show up on ballots. Even with as many games as he’s started, Barton still qualifies for Sixth Man and is certainly deserving of consideration (he was third on Zach Lowe’s ballot released today). And Jokic has a chance to be the third-team center on All-NBA, I think. Jamal Murray could get some consideration for Most Improved, though the Nuggets are also trying to get Harris some buzz for that award.

Random question of the day. Do you know what uniforms the Nuggets will be wearing and what their season record is wearing those uniforms?

Gina: Haha, that is super random, but I’m into it. I honestly have no idea. But I respect the superstition!

If the Nuggets win are they locked into a matchup with Golden State? I honestly think the Nuggets could beat them

Gina: Updated scenarios are here, which became a lot clearer after Utah thumped Golden State last night.

I commend your optimism about a potential matchup with Golden State, since the Warriors do look a bit vulnerable given their injury situation and an apparent lack of interest during the regular season. But they’re still the defending champs. I expect them to turn it on in the playoffs.

Who do you think will win tonight?

Gina: Ahhh, the big question. Like Vegas, I give Minnesota the slight edge at home and with Butler back. But who am I to doubt the Nuggets after what they’ve done during this winning streak?

What kind of game do you think this will be tonight? open and high scoring like a normal Nuggets game, or a defensive grind like the other night against Portland?

Gina: Hard to say, given that last Thursday’s win over Minnesota had that grind-it-out feel as well. The Wolves only scored 96 points in that game, the first time in two months that the Nuggets had held an opponent below 100. A lot of these games down the stretch have had a more physical feel to them, so I’d tend to lean that direction. The good news for the Nuggets? They’ve proven they can win those types of games recently.

I haven’t watched much of the T-Puppies this year. Who are their more inconsistent players that could hand the game to the Nuggets?

Gina: Andrew Wiggins would be at the top of that list. The column in the Minneapolis StarTribune today says it’s time for him to prove that he deserves the big contract he recently received. He was just 4-of-12 from the field for nine points last week against the Nuggets. He gets a lot of criticism as a former No. 1 pick who just has not panned out thus far as an NBA star.

Let’s discuss roster changes – if we lose tonight and miss the playoffs would the roster changes be any different compared to if we win and make the playoffs? Do you see any of our top go to guys leaving?

Gina: I don’t think tonight’s outcome will truly make a difference in that regard. The three biggest contract things on the table this summer: Will Barton is an unrestricted free agent, Wilson Chandler has a player option for next season and Nikola Jokic could sign his max deal.

How is Minnesota this time of year?

Gina: Haha, not nearly as bad as December, when it was the coldest weather I’ve ever experienced in my entire life (well into the negatives with wind chill). It’s in the 40s today. I walked to lunch in jeans and a sweatshirt. But my hotel room overlooks Target Field, and I felt bad for the people in the stands at the Twins game last night. It was in the low 30s. No thanks.

How many minutes do you expect Gary Harris to play tonight? Are they going to hold back a bit in order to save him for a possible playoff run or go all out?

Gina: That’s a great question…should get more info on that during Malone’s pregame availability. I’m curious if he’ll keep the starting lineup intact (like Monday) or move Harris back in there. He played 18 minutes Monday and I’d definitely expect that total to go up. How much? Not sure. And that will also probably depend on how he feels/looks throughout the game.

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