Storylines are building up in the first round of the playoffs now that the match-ups are three games in. There are various narratives in each, and among the ones who have had a sudden shift are the Denver Nuggets-Utah Jazz series.
The Nuggets are currently down 2-1 against the Jazz and have lost in back-to-back one-sided games. They got routed in Game 2, 124-105, and followed it up with an even worse performance in Game 3 as they were absolutely crushed, 124-87. The 37-point laugher tied the franchise’s third-worst loss in postseason history.
Plenty of teams have overcome tougher scenarios multiple times so it’s not exactly panic time yet – and we all know how talented their core is. That said, there’s definitely a cause for concern, and Denver head coach Mike Malone is well aware of it.
Here’s what he told media following the game:
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with [Nikola Jokic] yet. 15 points, six assists, five rebounds – those are okay numbers, but from Nikola, obviously, we need more, especially when Rudy Gobert’s having the game that he’s having.”
“Rudy Gobert dominated us tonight … Mike Conley dominated us tonight. We’re not going to go anywhere if Nikola and Jamal [Murray] combine for 27 points. The best players are stepping up and play well.”
Gobert did dominate the Nuggets front court as he tallied 24 points and 14 rebounds on 11-for-15 shooting. It was his highest scoring output since mid-January.
The Nuggets’ two leaders indeed have to wake up quick. Jokic paled in comparison to Gobert, and his play and production just went off a cliff compared to Games 1 and 2, where he averaged 28.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
Murray, meanwhile, has a more concerning slump. After scoring 36 points in Game 1, he could only muster 26 in the next two and can’t seem to get into the line – one free-throw attempt in Games 2 and 3.
Malone isn’t reserving the criticism to his stars, though. Later in the media session, he acknowledged that his coaching has to be better as well.
“Our group has to be a lot more mentally tough. None of us are performing. I’m not coaching well enough; we’re not playing well enough. And a lot has to change going into Game 4, because this is two games in a row we’ve gotten our ass kicked.”
Game 4 will be tomorrow at 9 AM (Manila time). The Nuggets have allowed a whopping 124 points and 19 threes per game in the last two games, and should look to start fast and aggressive if they want to keep the series close.
