DENVER – Naz Reid had an inkling the Timberwolves' first-round series against Phoenix wasn't going to be his time to shine.
The matchup called for the Wolves to play more perimeter defense that they do against most teams, given the scoring pop the Suns had in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Reid was even joking with teammates after Game 4, when the Wolves completed a sweep, that he didn't do anything in that series.
But that can't be the case if the Wolves are going to advance against a larger, stouter opponent in Denver. Reid knows he has to live up to his Sixth Man of the Year billing if the Wolves are going to move on.