Depth, blown leads concern Denver Nuggets as OKC Thunder control NBA series
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots over Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of Game 5.
PHOTO: AFP
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DENVER – The Denver Nuggets had leads on Oklahoma City in the fourth quarter for two consecutive National Basketball Association (NBA) play-off games but could not hold the Thunder down.
They lost both leads and games, erasing any margin for error and complacency heading into Game 6 on May 15 (May 16, Singapore time).
The Thunder’s ability to rally late, including their 112-105 home win in Game 5, have given them a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference best-of-seven semi-finals series, and they can advance with a win in Denver.
Oklahoma City, the top seeds, have not been to the Conference Finals since 2016 when they let a 3-1 series lead slip away. The Thunder lost in seven games to the Golden State Warriors.
They had a big lead in Game 6 of that series, and although no one on this roster was in that team, the players know they need to be focused on finishing and not always depend on bouncing back late in games.
“It’s a close-out game in Denver against a really good team. I expect nothing less than what it is. We have to lock in,” Thunder big man Chet Holmgren said.
Each game in the series, except for Oklahoma City’s 43-point win in Game 2, has come down to the final minutes.
The Nuggets used their play-off experience to win the close contests in Games 1 and 3, but the Thunder executed down the stretch to pull out the last two.
One key factor was that Oklahoma City have also worn down Denver’s three-time Most Valuable Player, Nikola Jokic, with smothering defence before he came alive on May 13 with 44 points and 15 rebounds. The Thunder have made Jokic’s teammates take big shots, and it did not work out for the Nuggets, especially in Game 5.
Jokic and Aaron Gordon combined to shoot 23 of 38 on May 13, but the rest of the team were 17 of 59. Michael Porter Jr, playing with an injured left shoulder, was one of the seven.
“We’ve played well enough to win the last two games. A lot of the reason we lost is because I’m not helping contribute. And that’s tough. That’s really tough. I haven’t been contributing in any way,” Porter, who had only two points, said.
Jamal Murray, who had an offensive outburst with a 13-point third quarter, was one of six in the fourth and his only field goal came with 17 seconds left. Jokic was four of six in the final 12 minutes.
Denver had three players – Jokic, Murray and Christian Braun – log above 40 minutes while Gordon played 37 minutes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 39 minutes were the most for the Thunder.
Looking to Game 6, this could make a difference who would win the showdown.
“If it is fatigue, that’s on me. I’m deciding who’s going to run it, who’s going to be out there,” Nuggets interim coach David Adelman said.
On playing Jokic the entire second half, he added: “It was my decision. I had a conversation with him. He felt good. I was going back and forth... that was a big factor. I do not regret it now after a loss, maybe I’ll have a different opinion (after watching it back.)”
Denver’s lack of depth has also been an issue in the series.
They have mostly relied on a seven-player rotation while using other players for short bursts at different times, so they are relying on championship experience against a younger team.
Oklahoma City have gained experience in the series and can use that knowledge to get that last win and advance – either in Game 6 or 7 if needed.
“We’re a better team today than we were at the beginning of the series. We’re definitely evolving and growing and learning,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
Gilgeous-Alexander added: “It’s being who we are. It’s trusting each other, playing with all five on both ends. Whatever the problem is, we can fix it with the collective effort.” REUTERS
