By Daniel Paiz
The Denver Nuggets were on the brink of elimination and played like it. These resilient Nuggets respond with 125-113 Game 5 win at home, making the series deficit 3-2 now. Nikola Jokic threw down a triple double with 27 points, 16 assists, 12 rebounds, and two blocks. Jamal Murray had 24 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals. Bench player turned starter Spencer Jones had the playoff game of his life, adding 20 points, three rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in the Game 5 win.
Julius Randle had 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Ayo Dosunmu added 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds. Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland also threw in 15 points apiece off the bench. Game 6 is slated for Thursday back in the Target Center in Minnesota.
Let’s dig into the good and bad of this entertaining bounce back game.
What Went Well
Initially, it seemed like everything went well. Denver played focused defense for the majority of the game, moved the ball around, and had more effort than the visitors. The fundamental piece that won this game for the Nuggets was effort. There were guys chasing after loose balls. Guys set emphatic picks (looking at you Braun nearly knocking over MacDaniels with that pick). Denver attacked the rim like they had previously, but instead of falling short, they were throwing down.
Coach Adelman did what he needed to do much earlier in the series. Players were being rotated fairly regularly throughout the game. Finally, Jonas Valanciunas saw more floor time. Tyus Jones came out and sped past defenders to create some opportunities. Denver forced TWENTY-FIVE turnovers by Minnesota in this game; that shows Denver really focused defensively for just over three quarters of this game.
Nikola Jokic had a triple double, and that’s usually the headline. However, this was the Spencer Jones game, this Game 5. Jones had 20 points, and had three rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Those last three categories are defensive categories, and Denver mostly had it going when it came to stopping the visitors.
Things to Improve
Closing out a game has to go better. The fourth quarter was okay by Game 5 standards, although Denver allowed 38 points by a largely exhausted Wolves squad. The defense has to remain nearly identical to how it did in the first three quarters. Denver allowed Julius Randle to have a big night with 27 points, and Ayo Dosunmu threw in 18 points.
Denver’s effort was wonderful to start the game and at the start of the second half. The Nuggets have to repeat that in Game 6, and they cannot allow Minnesota’s bench to keep them in the game.
Game 6 Predictions
Game is still an elimination game! Denver’s players know it, coaches know it, and fans know it. The momentum is back on Denver’s side, because the Nuggets know what works against this depleted sixth seed. However, home cooking in Game 5 won’t translate for a road game on Thursday. The Nuggets will have to amp themselves up and feed off the crowd in a different way.
The supporting cast will have to yet again be difference makers. It doesn’t have to be another Spencer Jones or any other guy specifically; rather, it could be the Denver bench game. There definitely needs to be a continuation of rotating more players, because when the Wolves get in foul trouble, they have fewer guys to rely on to play minutes. Denver can use the guys they did plus maybe even playing Julian Strawther more, and Zeke Nnaji for stretches as well.
The Nuggets have to outhustle the Wolves. Grab more boards. Force more turnovers. Remain resilient in a hostile territory. Doing so can force a Game 7 back in the Mile High City.
Bonus info
Check out our audio companion piece that will add even more to this Game 5 victory review.
Cypher Sessions 