NBA Playoffs: Top 10 players to watch in Game 7 between Timberwolves/Nuggets + Pacers/Knicks on Sunday

Typically, Aaron Gordon isn't anywhere near listed on a list of 10 players to watch for the NBA playoffs. But Gordon has played for the Nuggets this postseason and has often looked like the second-best player in a Denver jersey. Suddenly, Gordon was shooting 59% from the floor and 40% from distance while posting 15 points and seven rebounds per game. In particular, his outside shooting is a huge increase from his regular season average of 29%. Gordon is at one right now.

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The former No. 1 overall pick may not have the same numbers as fellow former top pick Anthony Edwards, but Karl-Anthony Towns plays an extremely efficient game. While his goal average is slightly lower, Towns is shooting an incredible 47% from distance this postseason. After missing all four outside throws on Thursday, KAT should come back motivated on Sunday.

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Even though he isn't the biggest name on the New York Knicks, Josh Hart has been one of their most valuable players since the playoffs began. But the defensive lineman suffered an abdominal injury on Friday and simply wasn't himself. There's no guarantee that Hart will be ready to play by Sunday, but if he is, we expect a motivated rebounder to emerge at MSG.

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Pascal Siakam, aka Spicy P, may not have made the All-Star team this season, but he has been motivated since the start of the postseason to show why the voters made a mistake. Siakam had a strong performance with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a potential elimination game on Friday. We bet the former NBA champion will be at his best for another elimination in Game 7.

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Jamal Murray has been like IcyHot this postseason, but he's mostly been cold. In his last two postseason appearances, Murray averaged 26.3 points, but the Timberwolves appear to have his number. Murray has been very frustrated by throwing heat packs on the floor and is averaging just 15.7 PPG while shooting a pitiful 38% from the floor. The Nuggets need their star point guard back on Sunday.

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The four-time Defensive Player of the Year couldn't contain Nikola Jokic, but he wasn't tasked with guarding the three-time MVP either. However, Gobert was instrumental in setting the tone for the NBA's best defense, grabbing 11.2 rebounds per game and averaging 2 “sticks” per game. Seeing how he impacts the Nuggets at the rim could be crucial in Game 7.

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Tyrese Haliburton, one of the NBA's best scorers/distributors, showed off his scoring abilities, dropping 34 and 35 points against the Knicks in Games 2 and 3, respectively. But surprisingly, the NBA's assists leader hasn't tallied more than 10 assists once in this series. It doesn't matter what skills Haliburton uses on Sunday, but he'll have to put in a strong effort to knock out the Knicks on their home court.

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Nikola Jokic had a “bad” game by his standards. But when a night with 22 points and nine rebounds is a bad day, you know you're pretty good at basketball. For the most part, the Timberwolves were unable to limit Jokic. He gets what he wants. Jokic will need to become dominant on the scoreline again to help the Nuggets get ahead, or at least use his gravity to find his open teammates on the perimeter, but we know he's certainly capable.

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Jalen Brunson was phenomenal during the regular season, averaging over 28 points per game, but he was even better against the Pacers, topping 31 PPG. But he also had two games in which his shooting percentage was worse than 40%, both losses to the Knicks. Brunson shot just 42% in New York's Game 6 loss, so he knows he'll have to be much better on Sunday. Expect to see Brunson see everything he has to offer against Indiana.

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Anthony Edwards is arguably the most talented and exciting player in the NBA playoffs and the biggest X-factor playing on Sunday. If Edwards leaves, the Timberwolves' chances of advancing increase greatly. But if the 22-year-old has issues with shot selection, turnovers, foul issues, or is slow to recognize double teams, the Timberwolves could be heading home in the summer. Everything depends on employee #5.

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