The Nuggets might have more than an 0-2 series deficit against the Timberwolves to worry about.
During Tuesday morning’s episode of ESPN’s “Get Up,” NBA analysts Tim Legler and Jay Williams suggested Nuggets guard Jamal Murray should be suspended for Game 3 after he threw a heating pad onto the court during the middle of game action in Denver’s 106-80 loss the previous evening.
“I feel like he should be suspended for a game,” said Williams. “That was an inch away from Karl-Anthony Towns planting his right foot on that thing. That could have hurt him.”
“I would be shocked if he’s not [suspended],” added Legler.
Murray seemed frustrated that the referees didn’t call a foul on the Timberwolves during the possession and expressed his anger in a dangerous, unprofessional manner.
Should the NBA make the appropriate call and force Murray to miss Game 3, Denver could be headed for its playoff exit before half of the league’s second-round series even tips off.
The Timberwolves have front-court depth with Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, who missed Game 2 due to the birth of his child, and Naz Reid, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.
Guards Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have been outstanding in perimeter defense.
We haven’t even mentioned Anthony Edwards, who has emerged as one of the league’s best players through Minnesota’s first six playoff games.
The Nuggets might not have a shot to beat the Wolves with Murray active for Game 3. Instead of throwing things on the court, Murray might be better off raising a white flag.
