Timberwolves head coach makes clutch early challenge in Game 2
Some coaches don't like to use a replay challenge early. For Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, the risk paid off.
Rudy Gobert was whistled for an offensive foul on a play where he crashed into Phoenix's Jusuf Nurkic, and scored through the contact. While it happened less than six minutes into the game, Finch thought Nurkic was moving and didn't hesitate to challenge.
Finch was right, and the call was overturned. As a result, Minnesota kept the original two points. Then, when Gobert missed the and-one, Jaden McDaniels grabbed the rebound, drew Kevin Durant's second foul and sank both free throws.
One challenge led to four points and two fouls on Phoenix starters. Perhaps most important is that they avoided a foul on Gobert, the centerpiece of their elite defense. Gobert has been a deterrent to the Suns in this series, and Tuesday night has been more of the same.
In the 8:46 he was in the game in the first quarter, Gobert scored eight points while the Suns scored 12 as a team.
But with Gobert on the bench, his frontcourt partner got himself in foul trouble. Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two fouls after Gobert sat, giving him a third first-quarter foul.
Of course when Gobert returned, Phoenix didn't score, and Minnesota led 24-21 after one quarter.
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