Slapped at home by the Bulls, the Nuggets were warned before going to San Antonio, and everyone thought they were just going to get revenge on the Spurs. We also believed it for 12 minutes with a Nikola Jokic in the oven and in the mill, whether it was to orchestrate the game or to hit from afar. At the end of the 1st quarter, Denver leads by 12 points (38-26). And then, logically, Jokic rests, and there, the Spurs find colors with Doug McDermott, but also Keldon Johnson. Like the Bulls two days ago, Spurs are playing fast, really fast, and they’re not afraid to go in the paint. Denver is jostled, and at the break, San Antonio went ahead (68-67).
Back from the locker room, the Spurs continue to play fast with Malaki Branham and Devin Vassell, and they even widen a small gap (85-77). The (thin) public is on fire, and it will even growl even more when Zach Collins and Michael Porter Jr. will come to blows! Both are expelled, and it is believed at first that it serves as an electric shock to Denver. Except that the leaders of the West are still out of step, and Keita Bates-Diop and Tre Jones maintain the lead (98-93).
Better still, Sandro Mamukelashvili comes out of his box to give a 10-point lead (105-95). Denver is on the verge of breaking, but Jamal Murray pulls out the big game. He finds Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for the 3-pointer, then like a grown-up, he continues with a step-back 3-pointer. Behind, he covers Jeremy Sochan, and Aaron Gordon validates this 8-0 on a dunk after a brilliant service from Jokic. Three minutes from the end, the Nuggets came back to two points (118-116). Gregg Popovich leaves his players to fend for themselves, and he is right since they respond with a 10-0 to validate their victory (128-120). One of the best of the season!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The clash between Zach Collins and Michael Porter Jr. Initially, Collins rubs shoulders with Jokic. He imposes a physical challenge on him with shoulder and claw strikes and Porter Jr. wants to play the vigilante. He posterizes Collins, then comes and chambers him. Until then, it’s classic “trash talking”. Except that Collins goes to shove Porter, then sticks his forehead on his nose. Porter then takes him by the neck… and things get worse. The two players are separated, but they each receive a double technique synonymous with expulsions.
Nikola Jokic’s end of series. The reigning double MVP signed his 26th triple-double of the season tonight, and it is remarkable. Except that for the first time, the Nuggets bow. Straddling the two seasons, Jokic remained on 29 triple-doubles in a row with a victory.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Keldon Johnson. He found the right alternation between the address from afar and the aggressiveness towards the circle. He was not afraid to challenge Nikola Jokic, and we saw that the Serb in particular, but also the Nuggets in general did not like that.
✅ Doug McDermott. It is he who wakes up his teammates in the first half with his races and his skill. An almost perfect match.
✅ Sandro Mamukelashvili. The X factor of the 4th quarter with its 11 points in 12 minutes. He is cut out for the Spurs game.
✅ Nikola Jokic. Hard to blame him for anything with that big triple-double, except for that lack of intimidation in the paint.
⛔ The Nuggets bench. It lacks a joker off the bench capable of holding the house when Jokic and Murray are resting. Not to mention the defense, transparent against the races of the Spurs.
THE FOLLOWING
Denver (46-21) : Sunday reception of the Nets.
San Antonio (17-49) : reception of the Thunder on Sunday.
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