By Daniel Paiz

Slow start at home leads to second half rally as Denver wins 116-105, takes 1-0 series lead. Nikola Jokic earns his 22nd triple-double of the postseason with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Jamal Murray scores 30 points, dishes seven assists, grabs five rebounds and goes a perfect 16 of 16 from the free throw line. All five of Denver’s starters score in double digits, including a gutsy 17 points and eight rebounds from Aaron Gordon.
Minnesota is led by Anthony Edwards with 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, and all five starters from the Wolves also score in double digits. This 1-0 lead from Denver has them amped to add to it on Monday as Game 2 is a night game at Ball Arena. Here’s what worked on this Saturday afternoon, and what did not.
The good things
Denver’s effort and defense led to higher percentage shots and good ball movement in the second half. There were moments where the Nuggets got things going in the second quarter; this likely was discussed at halftime because that third quarter was solid. The aggressiveness led to the free throw opportunities. 30 of 33 from the charity stripe was key as Denver had some periods of stagnant offense. Jamal Murray alone hit 16 of 16 in the game, largely adding to his game-leading 30-point performance.
Jokic getting his 22nd triple-double in the playoffs was clockwork despite how little he scored in the first half. You know the visiting team has to be scratching their head at halftime when Jokic has six points total and the game is tied. That’s when you know the Nuggets have good ball movement and points are happening for everyone around Jokic.
Frustrating the visitors was also huge in the second half. Jaden MacDaniels went from hitting multiple buckets in the first half to fouling Denver and shoving Jokic in the back late in the game. A versatile scorer and defender taking himself out of the game like that is music to this fan’s ears. What’s surprising to me is that Minnesota did this a lot in the second half. This isn’t a young team anymore without playoff experience.
The Wolves have been through some series, so that lack of discipline and fortitude from the land of lakes players was a bit surprising. It played right into the hands of Jokic and Gordon. Confrontations often make these two up their efforts and focus, and that was again the case tonight. That extra effort reminds me of one play in particular.
Extra effort leads a broken play to a score. In one offensive possession, Denver’s passes were a bit off. Murray gets a deflection and tosses it up from halfcourt. The shot barely hits rim and Bruce Brown grabs the board. Passes it back to Murray, Murray then fires it into Gordon all alone at the rim for a thunderous dunk. Effort leads to points and Denver had that edge today.

Things to improve
Denver had the same problem in the regular season when it came to turnovers. 13 turnovers tonight weren’t awful but turning the ball over in the first half rallied Minnesota. Taking care of the ball will lead to more shot opportunities and less chances for the visitors.
Denver also likes to live by the three this season. While both teams tonight struggled to hit threes, Denver seems to rely on them more. Attacking the paint could lead to more foul calls, and getting more open looks. As I like to say lately, two points is a lot better than zero.
When it comes to specific players, Aaron Gordon has to focus a bit more on defense. He’s doing a good job, but getting in foul trouble early opens the door for more paint activity for the visitors. Spencer Jones and Bruce Brown did admirable jobs defensively, but the home team doesn’t need to give anybody more chances in the paint. Jokic also has to watch himself when it comes to getting pissed off about the lack of foul calls. A technical here or there is not needed in the playoffs.
I do not like pointing this out either, but Jamal Murray has to have some shootarounds when it comes to downtown. Zero of eight from beyond the arc can’t happen; the frequency he visited the free throw line today certainly made up for the long-range struggles. Luckily game one is a bit of a feeling things out game, so I suspect number 27 will be better from the arc in Game 2.

Game 2 predictions
Feel out games are always hard to judge in terms of how Game 2 will go. Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, and Tim Hardaway Jr. all need to have better shooting games on Monday. Murray was bad from downtown, though he shifted his scoring to opportunities from the charity stripe.
Aaron Gordon has to lock in when it comes to getting into foul trouble early. Cam Johnson also has to keep being aggressive, despite the lack of foul calls he should’ve been given with all the contact the visitors threw his way. If Peyton Watson isn’t cleared for Game 2, I would hope Coach Adelman puts Julian Strawther into the game for some minutes as he can add some offensive firepower off the bench.
The Nuggets also have to keep pressuring Anthony Edwards. Antman kind of was a non-factor for stretches of the game, and if it wasn’t for DiVincenzo and Dosunmu from downtown, this score would’ve been even farther apart. Oddly enough all five Wolves’ starters scored in double digits, and Dosunmu made it six Wolves with 10 or more. Mike Conley and Naz Reid were offensive non-factors, which sure helped out the home team.
The Wolves do have some room to play when it comes to getting the ball to both Gobert and Randle. Both guys were in double-digits, but neither one was leading the charge offensively. Letting Minnesota get the ball to Gobert more might be beneficial in that Rudy won’t likely shoot threes. That might give them more points in the paint but could offset three-point attempts.
Denver can replicate today, keep the ball movement up, and grab a 2-0 lead on Monday.
Bonus info
Here’s our audio recap of Game 1! It’s not the same content as the words above, so check it out.