Abused for much of the game, Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets finally overcame Wolves (112-109). A success that allows them to complete this series in five games, and to qualify for the conference semi-final where Phoenix of the Booker-Durant-Paul trio awaits them.
“Our team was a bit like the public tonight: we arrived late” pointed out Mike Malone. “I looked up, there were a lot of empty seats. With the staff, we said to ourselves that the weather must be really bad outside. But, the way we played in that first quarter felt like a regular season game. Then, slowly but surely, Jamal landed a few shots. Jamal plays with so much emotion, and I think he got our team going. He didn’t want to give up and he managed to put in big shots one after the other..
Jamal Murray activated 2020 mode
If bad weather has slowed traffic in downtown Denver causing the public to be delayed, Jamal Murray, he had no time. The Canadian carried the Nuggets with 35 points to 12/23 shooting including 5/9 from 3-pointers! While his teammates were rather clumsy, he kept Denver in the game, and he made people forget their poor performance in Game 4.
“We started badly, but when they started talking it woke us up” reports Jamal Murray. “We hung on. We fought back in the second quarter and I thought we did a good job of executing until the end.”.
For his return to the “postseason” after three years of absence, the Canadian left on a fairly high basis. In the series against the Wolves, he has averages of 27.2 points, 6.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds at 47% shooting including 43% from 3-pointers, as well as 91% in free throws!
“It’s great to be back in the playoffs and playing at a high level alongside Jamal. It’s a nice feeling” said Michael Porter Jr..
“The Suns are probably the favorites to win the title”
Leader of the Western Conference, Denver has logically overcome Minnesota, the last qualified for the play-in and very diminished. From now on, the men of Mike Malone will pass to the revealer, since it is the Suns of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul, who are on the program. The latter also folded their series of the first round in five games, with a Clippers team also diminished.
If the Nuggets have so far made the best impression collectively, the Suns have the individual assets capable of tipping a meeting, like Devin Booker. Denver players are aware of this, and do not even consider themselves series favorites.
“They are undoubtedly the favorites to win the title. It will be a huge challenge for us.” said Nikola Jokic, just to take some pressure off. “Nobody expects us to win. We know we have what it takes to win. We just have to keep showing what we can do.” concluded Jeff Green.
