SAN ANTONIO — Denver will be treated to the two best words in sports: Game 7.
The Nuggets couldn’t convert on their first opportunity to close out San Antonio on Thursday night, falling 120-103 in Game 6 of the first-round playoff series. The loss spoiled Nikola Jokic’s performance.
The Nuggets will find another chance in Game 7 on Saturday night at Pepsi Center at 8 p.m. with the series tied 3-3.
“We didn’t defend tonight,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “You give up 120 points at a possible elimination game. … Give them credit, their season was hanging in the balance and they came out and did what they had to do. Good thing for us is that we worked hard to have advantage to go home and play with a Game 7. ”
Malone said the game could be distilled to one notification sequence late in the first half. Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan missed a free throw with under a second left on the clock but scored an offensive rebound off. It represented the Nuggets’ lack of focus.
“I think the one play that sticks out to me that’s a microcosm of the game,.8 seconds to go, next quarter, free throw and we’re standing, DeMar DeRozan misses, nobody boxes him out, he catches it and lays it in,” Malone said. “The attention to detail wasn’t there tonight. ”
The Nuggets were within striking distance before a 22-4 run spanning the end of the quarter and the beginning of the fourth gave San Antonio an insurmountable cushion.
Denver unraveled in the fourth quarter behind a flood of Spurs jumpers and lots of unproductive offensive sets. It could ill-afford to rest Jokic, who registered the most jarring stat line of his incredible series. Jokic ended with 43 points and had 9 assists and 12 rebounds but the Nuggets couldn’t overcome a night that was 6-of-24 in the line.
Bryn Forbes, Derrick White and Marco Belinelli each connected on fourth-quarter 3-pointers to extend the Spurs’ lead, which ballooned to 21, in the quarter. DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge were catastrophic in their own right, combining for 51 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Nuggets-Spurs series program Game 1: San Antonio 101, Denver 96
Game 2: Denver 114, San Antonio 105
Game 3: San Antonio 118, Denver 108
Game 4: Denver 117, San Antonio 103
Game 5: Denver 108, San Antonio 90
Game 6: San Antonio 120, Denver 103
Game 7: San Antonio at Denver, 8 p.m. Saturday, TNT
Outside of Jokic, the Nuggets got just 16 points from Jamal Murray and 14 from Gary Harris. Their bench was outscored 36-13.
Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, who had already twice leveled Nuggets players with his patented screens during this series, captured Murray again . Murray was down before staying in the match and drilling his shot a floater — as Denver drew closer. Possessions later, Murray offered Poeltl a two-handed push his screen, evidently tired of taking blows.
Malone said he didn’t believe Poeltl was a dirty player, but there were numerous instances of illegal screens.
Meanwhile, Jokic continued to work on his masterpiece. He dissected the Spurs’ interior defense, relying upon his hands that were tender and clever footwork as his tools. For people who prefer their superstars soaring above the rim, Jokic might not be your own inclination. However, in front of a national TV audience, Jokic has showcased his approach and made clear he flipped himself into the upper echelon of NBA players.
Despite his 17 points, the Spurs didn’t wilt in the face of elimination. DeRozan bullied his way to 12 points in the third quarter and San Antonio wouldn’t budge. The Spurs, with their three-pronged assault of DeRozan, Aldridge and Rudy Gay, held a lead heading into the fourth quarter.
From the Nuggets’ camp, the message heading into Thursday’s decisive contest was to treat it like a Game 7. Malone didn’t want his players thinking they had any type of safety net with the possibility of one more game at home.
“Like coach said, we’re all in right now,” Murray said earlier on Thursday. “We’re we’re mentally ready, prepared. Like I said, I’ve never known something employees and all that. ”
For Murray and the rest of the playoff rookies, the goal was to bring their own motivation.
“They will come out with intensity,” Malone said. “No one ever wants to go home. This is a sport. Evidently, it’s not about matching that. It’s about going out there and exceeding that. ”
Related Articles
Nuggets at Spurs Game 6 live blog: Real time updates in the NBA playoffs
Nuggets at Spurs Game 6 live blog: Real-time updates in the NBA playoffs
Nuggets entering Game 6 with sense of despair: “Tonight is our Game 7”
Nuggets-Spurs: Three keys to Game 6
Is Gregg Popovich being out-coached by Michael Malone?
Malone’s confidence and trust in his group has increased immensely as this show has developed.
“It’s like we’re growing up on all fronts,” Malone said. “Young guys going through this for the first time, so their approach, their discipline s at stake. I believe I’ve seen growth amongst every area. ”
For the fifth time in six games, the Spurs took the first quarter and bolted out to a 34-24 lead. The Nuggets gradually shifted momentumas their offense found its rhythm. Jokic carried 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists into halftime and Murray additional 11.
The Nuggets scored 36 in the second quarter alone playing the beautiful basketball Malone had known to after Game 5. Denver entered halftime down 64-60 with four different players in double figures.
Buy Tickets for every event – Sports, Concerts, Festivals and more buy tickets