Beaten by the Wolves for the first time this season, the Nuggets reacted well by logically dominating the Mavericks on the first evening of the NBA tournament. To explain this success, Michael Malone put forward the “energy” of his group. “We played with more energy and that’s what I’m most satisfied with”declared the coach.
This analysis could fit with the start of the season for the Nuggets, leaders of the Western Conference and the league with seven wins and just one loss.
Unlike the Warriors after their 2022 title, the Denver players did not stall to leave. To compare, Stephen Curry and his teammates needed 16 matches to win 7 matches…
“We didn’t have any hangovers at the start of the season after our title”rejoices Michael Malone for The Athletic. “The players didn’t think they could just spin the machine because we were the defending champions. And the guys deserve credit for that. They understood the responsibility that winning a title represents. Most matches they displayed the right mindset and approach. »
The Nuggets know that everyone is waiting for them
Five wins in five home games, the fifth most efficient attack in the league and the eighth defense: the lights are green for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray’s injury seems to be the only cloud in this blue sky.
“I think we play very efficient basketball”observes the coach. “Our defense is pretty good. Our attack, if we put aside the lost balls, which are still too numerous, is very good. I’m always looking for improvement so I think we can do better on both ends of the court. »
As long as the reigning champions’ attitude remains the same, Michael Porter Jr. and his teammates won’t have much to worry about.
“I think we know how good we are, we know our standards,” assures the winger in particular. “We know that each opponent will come and play the champion, will give the best of themselves. Additionally, players continue to progress individually. If we move forward collectively, it helps us all. After winning the title, we had fun but came back to the gym to work. »
| Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Party | Pts |
| Nikola Jokic | 8 | 34.0 | 63.3 | 38.7 | 74.4 | 3.1 | 9.8 | 12.9 | 8.4 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 28.4 |
| Jamal Murray | 7 | 30.9 | 43.3 | 43.8 | 84.2 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 7.4 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 16.3 |
| Michael Porter, Jr. | 8 | 27.7 | 46.6 | 37.5 | 90.9 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 15.9 |
| Aaron Gordon | 8 | 30.8 | 58.0 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 2.3 | 4.4 | 6.6 | 3.9 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 13.4 |
| Kentavious Caldwell-pope | 8 | 32.5 | 49.2 | 46.9 | 100.0 | 0.1 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 10.3 |
| Reggie Jackson | 8 | 21.8 | 41.9 | 34.5 | 57.1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 8.3 |
| Christian Braun | 8 | 20.0 | 45.3 | 21.4 | 70.0 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 8.1 |
| Julian Strawther | 6 | 10.5 | 48.5 | 40.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 6.8 |
| Peyton Watson | 8 | 16.3 | 57.1 | 30.8 | 50.0 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 5.9 |
| Zeke Nnaji | 8 | 11.3 | 57.1 | 25.0 | 60.0 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 3.9 |
| Colin Gillespie | 4 | 8.7 | 44.4 | 28.6 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 2.8 |
| Jalen Pickett | 4 | 2.3 | 80.0 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.5 |
| Justin Holiday | 2 | 4.5 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
| Deandre Jordan | 1 | 12.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| Braxton Key | 4 | 2.6 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Hunter Tyson | 4 | 2.7 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
