1/9/2024 0 Comments Suns nuggets gameYou’ve just got to make it hard for them, give them different looks.”īooker and Durant entered Game 1 having produced the highest scoring average by a duo in a single series since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in the 2001 Western Conference semifinals. You’re not going to shut down Kevin Durant, and you’re not going to shut down Devin Booker. “I think one of the reasons we did such a good job defending the mid-range is because we gave them attention at the level of the screen and just didn’t let them walk in, walk into their spots,” Malone said. Still, credit Denver for blitzing every pick and roll involving either of the Phoenix stars to limit their effectiveness. Kevin Durant (29 points) and Devin Booker (27) combined for 56 points, while the rest of the Suns contributed 51 in Game 1. With the Nuggets firing on all cylinders in Game 1, the Suns will need a much bigger scoring boost off the bench if they hope to rebound. The big man’s eight offensive rebounds tied the rest of the Nuggets combined in that category, as Denver won the rebounding battle by a large margin (49-38). Jokic posted a double-double by halftime (13 points and 14 rebounds) and nearly accomplished that feat in just the first 11 minutes of the game, eventually finishing with 24 points and 19 rebounds. But don’t ignore the lightning-fast start Jokic sped off to in helping Denver establish a level of physicality in the paint against the Suns. You’ll look at the fact Jokic is shooting 34% over his last two games, and that he shot just 9-for-21 in Game 1 against the Suns. What a great opportunity to be the team that everybody’s picking to come out of the Western Conference.” So go out there and enjoy it, have fun with this. “I told our players the pressure’s on them,” Malone said. The Nuggets are embracing their role as underdogs. Phoenix has eliminated Denver in two of the last three postseasons, but the Nuggets aren’t thinking about those two playoff setbacks, which include a 2021 sweep. In fact, the Suns had defeated the Nuggets in seven consecutive playoff games entering Saturday’s clash. Game 1 marked the fifth time Phoenix and Denver clashed in the postseason, and the Suns own a 3-1 series record over the Nuggets (10-4 in the individual games). So, when the fifth-year guard slides into the mix, the Nuggets are 21-18 in the playoffs while finishing 4-2 in series. Remember that Murray wasn’t available for two of the team’s postseason appearances due to injuries. In five consecutive postseason runs in Denver, Malone and reigning two-time Kia MVP Nikola Jokic own an overall record of 26-28 with a 5-4 mark in playoff series. So, it just felt good to feel it and have the crowd behind us.” “I’ve been waiting for a while to be healthy, to be back and playing at this level during this time of year. “Hitting that big shot and getting the crowd that loud, you live for those moments, and you want to make the most of those moments,” Murray said. Those two splashes rippled through Phoenix’s collective psyche and the fans at Ball Arena over a span of 28 seconds. With 10:30 left to play in Game 1, Jamal Murray spun into a step-back jumper for his 25th and 26th points of the night, only to collect his 28th at the 8:21 mark in transition after pulling down a rebound.įewer than two minutes later, the 26-year-old drilled a second consecutive 3-pointer to increase his scoring output to 34 points while pushing Denver to a 112-95 lead. Malone’s quick timeout demonstrated just how crucial every decision becomes when two teams chockful of stars clash head-to-head on the postseason stage. The Nuggets accomplished that mission Saturday in dominating the Suns 125-107 to seize Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Let’s do our job and give ourselves the best chance to win.” “It was a quick timeout to say, ‘Hey man, let’s get our s- together,’” Malone explained. So, Malone understood disappointment might be lying in wait before 19,762 frenzied fans screaming inside Ball Arena. See, like several of you, Malone watched wide-eyed when the Suns unleashed a third-quarter offensive tsunami in reeling off 50 points Tuesday to beat the LA Clippers in the opening round of the playoffs. Jamal Murray delivers 34 points, Nikola Jokic adds 24 and 19 boards and Denver leans on 2 big 1st-half runs to roll at home.ĭENVER – Fresh out of the locker room, leading by 17 points, Denver coach Michael Malone signaled swiftly for a timeout … just 32 seconds into the second half, once Phoenix chopped four points off the home team’s edge.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |