If the Bucks or the Grizzlies are already under pressure, the Nuggets took full advantage of their home field advantage by winning in large widths against Minnesota for game 1 (109-80). Carried by its star duo, Nikola Jokic (13 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists) and Jamal Murray (24 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds), Denver delivered a show of force to confirm its status as No. ‘West.
Denver started flat out with a 3-pointer from Michael Porter Jr., another from Aaron Gordon and a powerful dunk from the same Gordon. In a Ball Arena all dressed in white, the Nuggets won the first quarter (26-23) but Minnesota was not far away thanks to Anthony Edwards then Kyle Anderson.
In this match of extremes, Denver began to make a difference in the second quarter, with a good defensive base but also a simple and direct attacking game, always orchestrated by Nikola Jokic on recovery. In front of the score at halftime (55-44), the Nuggets relied on their collective strength, with five players at 9 points or more, behind Jokic already in double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds).
The return from the locker room is particularly tough for the Minnesota visitors who still can’t get started offensively. The Nuggets always concrete as much in defense to cause stray balls, and they play the blow perfectly on the fast game. After a 12-5 from the Nuggets, the gap begins to take on worrying proportions: from +15 at the start of the third quarter, the biggest gap of the match, it climbs to 25 units and even 29 at the end of the period (87-58) !
Apart from the two quick fouls by Jokic who has to go back to sit on the bench, the last quarter allows a fairly large squad review for the two coaches. But it also allows Jamal Murray to increase his capital of confidence. The mass was said at the end of the 3rd quarter, Denver is essential in large widths at home (109-80).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Intractable Nuggets in defense. Fifteenth best defense in the “defensive rating” of the NBA, Denver is not the franchise that scares the most on this side of the field this season. And yet, on this Game 1, the Nuggets were intractable defensively. Well in place, they perfectly closed access to the paint and forced the Wolves to send from afar, for a starving success (11/36 from 3-points).
– Wolves explode in the 3rd quarter. 32-14. This is the final score of the third quarter in favor of the locals. Uninspired in attack, and far too permissive in defense, Wolves exploded in full flight after returning from the locker room. Held at 5/16 on shots including 3/10 from 3-pointers, Minnesota never found a rhythm in attack, also losing 7 balls (for 15 points to the Nuggets).
– Kyle Anderson involved in a dispute. After provoking Rudy Gobert a week ago, Anderson stood out tonight by warming up with Christian Braun. In a one-sided 3rd Quarter, his useless nudge cost him a Flagrant 1 foul.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Nikola Jokic. Already in double-double at half-time, the double MVP of the Nuggets had a very quiet game, more often on the bench than in action in the second half (he came back into play and took two fouls fast). He finished with 13 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 fouls.
✅ Bruce Brown. The Nuggets energizer has fulfilled his contract again. With 11 of 14 points scored in the first half, Brown provided the spark that allowed the first gap in the second quarter.
✅ Jamal Murray. The Canadian archer from the Rockies started timidly, at 0/4 in the first quarter, but as the game went on, he set the sights to finish at 24 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds, putting on the show last quarter with several solo numbers.
⛔ Karl Anthony Towns. The interior star of Wolves finished in double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but his match was complicated! Facing Jokic, but also Gordon or even Porter Jr, Towns multiplied the missed shots with a most frustrating 5/15 in the end…
⛔ Mike Conley. Recruited in Minnesota to help the Gobert transplant, but also to bring his experience, Conley was certainly useful in “play in”, but on this first playoff game, the veteran point guard was far too discreet. He finished with a small 8 points, 3 assists and only 5 shots attempted!
THE FOLLOWING
Game 2still in Denver, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
