By Daniel Paiz

Fast Start Fizzles as Denver Loses Game 2 Heartbreaker, 119-114 to Tie Series 1-1. Jamal Murray yet again scored 30 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic chipped in 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Both Christian Braun and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 16 points in a losing effort. Anthony Edwards had 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Wolves, and Julius Randle added 24 points. Game 3 is Thursday in Minnesota.

Let’s dig into what worked and what didn’t for Game 2 at Ball Arena.

Good Things

Jamal Murray had a very good game offensively. He’s scored thirty points in both games, and he’s hitting shots to get the team going. Other guys have to start hitting. There has to be an Aaron Gordon game, a Cameron Johnson game; somebody that’s not Jokic or Murray for the starters have to string together some points throughout.

Denver also had a very good start, and it happened because of effort and ball movement. Whoever is trying harder usually gets the upper hand. In the second half, Jokic was having his choice of shot as he backed down Reid. Denver has a pathway to get to the rim, they have to have guys get in there; Minnesota, for being a physical team, are not good defenders when being posted against.

Things to Improve

Denver has to attack the rim. The Wolves know they are going to go to the two-man game with Jokic and Murray, especially in the second half. The defense also has to be stepped up a notch. At the end of the second quarter for at least one play, Denver had a zone of sorts that really only allowed the visitors to take a long shot. Denver would be wise to utilize zones further, where the opponent doesn’t have such easy access to the rim. Take the paint away and it possibly takes away Gobert as well.

On the offensive end, if Gobert is out then there has to be a green light to attack the basket. The more you attack the hoop, the more you get guys open on the three-point line. Good defense from Minnesota would require them to shrink towards the hoop, because the more Denver goes there, the higher percentage shots they’ll be taking. If Jokic and Murray and Braun and whoever else starting a bunch of layups and it’s a 10-0 run or something similar, that coaching staff will bark players to protect the net.

There also needs to be an emphasis on preventing Julius Randle from driving to the rim. While he can hit threes, the bulk of his scoring is close to the bucket. Denver has to make his life hard when he has the ball. Guarding Edwards and messing with his game is helpful too, but he’s such a streaky scorer that he messes his own game up sometimes. Force the opponent to get other guys to score, because Randle is their X-factor. No need to worry about some players, such as MacDaniels.

Denver also needs multiple bench guys to step up in scoring. Jonas Valanciunas and Spencer Jones had some rebounds and that’s it. If both those guys aren’t going to score or even shoot, there’s no reason to not play Julian Strawther. Defensively he’s viewed as not the best, but if he’s hitting threes and making the effort on defense, it could be a better payout.

Game 3 Predictions

The pressure is on Minnesota to protect home court, so Denver should be more free flowing to start. Denver’s starters need to get going, and that means more Aaron Gordon around the basket. There should also be more use of the bench, primarily when Gobert is not in the game. Zones and efforts to take away entrance to the paint is crucial for Denver defensively.

It will be a close game again, as these two teams are all about runs and cold streaks. Jokic will need to be more aggressive, and Denver will need to get to the rim. Making the extra pass works when the defense is flailing to keep up, but doing so just because will lead to similar possessions as in Game 3.

Denver has a very good chance to win, as they are much better in bounce back games.

Bonus info

Here’s an audio breakdown of Game 2 that has a few gems the article doesn’t check it out!