The return to the mountains of Colorado has done the Nuggets good. Michael Malone’s troops approached this Game 5 with the right ingredients, by sticking a 9-0 from the first seconds, with a very good Michael Porter Jr. The defensive spaces left by the Suns are enormous and Denver takes advantage of it.
A reaction from Phoenix and a small alert in the ankle from Jamal Murray suggest that, at the break, the match could be disputed. But the second period is totally dominated by the Nuggets, who collectively float against a team in need of solutions. Above all, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are no longer so brilliant.
The last quarter turns into a show for the Nuggets with several dunks and Monty Williams shows the white flag by taking out his two stars. Logical and authoritative victory for Denver (118-102), which now leads 3-2 before returning to Arizona.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Big starts from Denver. Nikola Jokic and his gang started both halves perfectly. The first with a stifling defense and a 9-0. The second with the same intensity and a 7-0. Both times, Denver was able to take at least fifteen points ahead and put the Suns on the ropes. We can even add the 7-3 to start the last quarter, which left no hope for Phoenix.
The limits of the “two man show”. The Suns survive and win in this series because Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are huge and carry the brunt of the offense. What would happen if the duo had a night without? We have the answer: everything is more complicated. With 54 points at 18/43 to shoot (42% success), the two stars did not shine like at home. This attack clearly lacks imagination and the exploits of Booker and Durant masked it well, until Game 5 where the strength of the Nuggets collective was obvious.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Nikola Jokic. As since the beginning of the series, the double MVP is superb. Admittedly, he did not score 53 points as in the last game, but he dominates again and again, without overdoing it and finished with 29 points at 12/20 in shooting, 13 rebounds and 12 assists.
✅ Michael Porter Jr. He was the detonator with his 14 points in the first quarter. His four award-winning shots got the Nuggets going and even though he only finished with 19 points afterwards, his presence was crucial early in the game.
⛔ Kevin Durant. With 26 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, the winger did not completely miss his game. But unlike Booker, he complicated his life in attack, forcing shots, insisting where it was necessary to turn. He did not look for points near the circle to reassure himself. He ends with a 10/24 to shoot and 5 lost balls.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 6 on the night of Thursday to Friday (1:30 a.m.) in Phoenix, with a first match point for the Nuggets.
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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.
