By Daniel Paiz

Valuable experience was gained this postseason, as Denver battles in Game 7 but comes up short in their title repeat bid, losing 98-90. That experience is what to work on in the offseason, and a need for other players not named Jokic and Murray to score more. Nikola Jokic puts up 34 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists, and Jamal Murray led all scorers with 35 points. No other Denver player scored more than seven points (Michael Porter Jr, who also added nine rebounds), and the bench chipped in just five points total. The title defense ends, and the growing pressure is over.

All five Minnesota starters scored in double digits despite Anthony Edwards’ unimpressive 16 points. The Wolves were led by Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels, who each scored 23 points. The Wolves move onto the West Conference Finals, where they will have to deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

Game 7 unfolds

First Quarter

Jamal Murray hits a big three to get the game going for Denver. This one’s starting off with lots of defense and a lot of missed shots. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hits a three to cut it to 12-8 with just over five minutes to go; Jokic then hits to make it 12-10, five left. Murray floater ties it at 12. Murray backs down his defender and hits a fadeaway jumper, cutting it to 17-16 with two left. The ball movement for Denver is picking up, and it seems partially why Minnesota calls a timeout here; they’re sensing the rhythm Denver is building. Murray hits back-to-back threes, and Denver leads 24-19 after quarter one.

Second Quarter

Jokic hits a midrange jumper to start the second, 26-19 now. Multiple buckets by Michael Porter Jr. boosts the lead to 30-19, and the road team takes a timeout. Denver’s defensive pressure is leading to patience on the offensive end, adding to their rhythm. Christian Braun is playing superb defense on Edwards right now; a steal leads to hitting two free throws for Braun, 32-19 lead with 8:40 left. After more free throws for both sides, 34-22 now. Murray finger rolls it in, 36-29 with six to go. Caldwell-Pope jumper makes the score 38-29.

Murray hits a beautiful fadeaway, gets fouled, hits it and it’s 41-29 after the free throw as Ball Arena erupts in approval. Experience right now is proving to be Denver’s x-factor in these moments. Murray free throws make it 43-29 with under five left. Gordon jam pushes it to 45-31 for the home team. 48-33 as Jokic manhandles Gobert in the paint. Denver timeout as it’s now 48-38. Jokic outbattles Minnesota for the board, scores and gets the foul call; 51-38 with a minute left. Braun gets a beautiful block on Conley; Denver pushes the ball the other way and Murray hits a nice floater to make it 53-38 at the half. Jamal Murray has 24 first-half points, and Nikola Jokic has 15 rebounds and 13 points.

Third Quarter

Murray scores the first five here for the Nuggets, making it 58-38. Denver takes a time out as the lead is cut to 59-47 at the under eight-minute mark. Braun hits a shot to make it 61-53. Timeout Denver as the lead is down to four, Denver needs to regroup on both ends. There has to be an increase in ball movement and the defense has to keep up the pressure; runs happen, so Denver has to start their own. A pair of Jokic shots makes it 65-61 with less than a minute left. 67-66 Denver at the end of the third.

Fourth Quarter

Jokic scores to cut into the Minnesota lead, 70-69. Porter Jr. three ties it at 72. Jokic hits a three to make it 77-75 with under eight to go. Jokic three cuts it to 81-78 now. Murray bucket makes it 83-80. Murray again to make it 85-82. Denver takes a timeout as the lead is now 92-82 for the road team, three minutes left. Denver doesn’t seem to have the ball movement going, shots aren’t falling, and the final score is 98-90 for Minnesota, as Denver falls in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

What led to this finale

Denver was rebounding well in the first half, but in the third and fourth quarters the Nuggets did not attack the glass or put in enough effort. The overall tally was 47-44 to Minnesota, which led to that turnaround. Denver did better on the turnover side of things, giving up 10 to nine from the Wolves. The assists for Denver were also pretty low, 13 assists after four quarters: this again ties into the lack of ball movement and the overreliance on Jokic and Murray.

Michael Porter Jr. is going to have to work on creating his own shot in the offseason, and the bench is going to have to focus on scoring as well. That will be the main question for Denver, what do they do with their bench; that’s something that free agency will likely decide. Also, as good as the coaching was this season, there has to be a solution other than staggering minutes where Gordon comes in to play Jokic’s position. Either the bench is going to have to be utilized, or a serviceable backup center must be signed. Plus, throughout the regular season, there has to be more focus on the younger players getting reps so they can come in to give the starters some relief.