NBA: clash, technical foul then last perfect defense on Nikola Jokic, fun game by Rudy Gobert

by time news

This is the⁤ kind of performance that will silence the Rudy Gobert “haters” a bit… or not. The French pivot was decisive in the victory‍ of the Minnesota Timberwolves, on the night between Friday and Saturday, against the Denver Nuggets of a certain Nikola ‌Jokic (119-116), voted best in the NBA last season for the third time in ⁣his career.

But the game was eventful for Gobert, who scored 17 points and ‍14 ⁢rebounds. In the‍ final quarter, he suffered a ​“poster dunk”‍ for the first time from Christian⁣ Braun, a player much⁣ shorter than him (1.98 m versus 2.16 m). On this play, the Denver player knocked him⁢ down, then the two⁣ men clashed violently and each received a technical foul.

At the time, Denver led the Wolves by 8 points (102-110) and seemed on their way ⁤to winning. Not to mention the perfect conclusion of the game by Minnesota,⁣ who scored the‌ last ten points of the game, winning on the wire. And in terms‌ of money, Gobert was particularly decisive.

Two free throws and a final stop

He first grabbed a defensive rebound, then made his two free throws in stride to increase the Wolves’ lead to three points, before ​another great defense against Nikola ‍Jokic to close out⁢ the game. Gobert finished the game with ​17 points and 14 rebounds in the wake of Anthony Edwards (29 points).

Next night, Rudy Gobert will face a different kind of challenge as his team travels to San Antonio where he will find Victor Wembanyama in front of him in the paint.⁤

On other levels the ‍French shone less although we must highlight ⁣the good performance of Rayan Rupert, author of 14 points, ⁤in Portland’s defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder (137-114). Last year’s No. 1 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher was decent (3 points) and clumsy ⁢(1-of-9 shooting) during the Atlanta Hawks’ home loss to the Sacramento Kings (115-123).

It should⁤ also be ⁢noted that two teams remain⁤ undefeated this season: Cleveland, who‌ beat the Orlando Magic (120-109) signing a sixth success in as ‌many ⁢games, and then the Oklahoma City Thunder, easy winners ⁢of Portland‌ with 30 points from Shai​ Gilgeous – Alexander scores his fifth success.

Interview⁢ between Time.news Editor and Basketball Expert

Time.news Editor: ⁣Welcome to Time.news.‍ Today, ‌we’re diving into an exciting⁣ recent NBA ⁤matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver‌ Nuggets.⁣ Joining us is basketball expert ‍and analyst, Dr. Emily Johnson. Emily, thanks ⁤for being here!

Dr.‌ Emily Johnson: Thank you for having me! ​Excited to break⁢ down this​ thrilling game.

Editor: Let’s get right into⁢ it. Rudy Gobert had a standout performance, scoring 17 ⁤points and grabbing 14 rebounds. This ​seems to be a significant night ‍for him, especially given the ongoing scrutiny from‌ critics. What do you make of his performance?

Dr. Johnson: Absolutely, Gobert’s performance was key. He’s often been criticized​ for⁣ his offensive game, but last night he showed he‌ can contribute significantly on both ends ⁢of ‍the floor. His ability to rack up rebounds and​ score timely points​ helped the Timberwolves⁢ secure ⁢that win against a tough opponent.

Editor: Right. He faced a bit of ​adversity too, notably when Christian ​Braun dunked on him. How do ⁣you think moments like that impact a player’s mindset during a game?

Dr. Johnson: ⁣Moments like ​that can be tough, especially ⁢for a player of Gobert’s stature. Getting “posterized” can affect⁢ a player’s ⁣confidence, but how he responded was​ impressive. Instead of⁢ letting it demoralize him, he ​continued to ​contribute⁣ crucially in‌ the ‍final quarter, which speaks to his resilience⁣ and determination.

Editor: Interesting point. Late in the game, the Timberwolves managed to pull off‌ a comeback scoring the last ten points, despite being down by eight. ⁢What does ‍this say‌ about their‍ team ​mentality and chemistry?

Dr. Johnson: It highlights a strong sense of teamwork⁤ and belief in each other. They didn’t panic when trailing; instead, they rallied to execute their game plan effectively ⁢under pressure.⁣ That kind of composure often comes from great chemistry on the court and trust in their offensive and defensive strategies.

Editor: Speaking of⁢ strategies, Gobert’s role in that late-game push must⁢ have been critical. How did his presence help the team in those final moments?

Dr. ⁢Johnson: Gobert’s presence in the paint changes the dynamics⁤ for any opponent’s offense. Defensively, he’s a shot-blocking ‍threat, which can intimidate players driving to the hoop. Offensively, his rebounding skills created additional opportunities for second-chance ​points.⁤ His ability⁣ to draw fouls also puts pressure on the opposing team, forcing them⁢ to play more cautiously.

Editor: And don’t forget the financial aspect. ⁣The Minnesota management ​has invested heavily⁤ in him. Was this performance a sign of him⁣ justifying ‍that investment?

Dr. ⁤Johnson: Indeed.‌ For a player with such a significant contract, performances⁤ like this are ‌essential. It’s about showing fans and‍ the front office⁣ that he can​ deliver⁢ in ⁣crucial moments. It not only​ boosts ‍his confidence but also reinforces⁤ his value to the team and helps quiet the critics who question that investment.

Editor: Well, Emily, this game⁤ certainly showcased some thrilling basketball. Any‌ final thoughts on what we​ can expect from Gobert ‍and ⁢the Timberwolves moving forward?

Dr. Johnson: I think⁢ we’ll see Gobert continue to evolve this season. If ⁣he can maintain‌ this level of​ performance, it bodes‌ well for the Timberwolves’ playoff ⁤aspirations. The key will be his ability to stay consistent and for the team to continue building on this momentum.

Editor: ​Great insights ⁢today, Emily. Thank you for ⁤sharing your expertise‌ with us, and we⁢ look forward to another exciting season of NBA basketball!

Dr. Johnson: Thank you! ​Always a pleasure to​ discuss basketball.

You may also like

Leave a Comment