It all comes down to one game.
The epic battle between Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray, one of the most memorable duels in recent memory, ends with the seventh and final game between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz.
Judging from the first six contests, this last stand should be one for the ages.
So, which team will advance to the second round to meet the LA Clippers? Catch this game live on Wednesday at 8:30 am, Manila time.
HOME TEAM: #3 Denver Nuggets (3-3)
Who’s going to stop Jamal Murray? So far in the playoffs, the Jazz have not found an antidote to Murray, who’s been laying waste to Utah’s defense.
In Denver’s Game 6 119-107 win, Murray exploded again for 50 points on the strength of his 17-of-24 shooting, including nine threes. Over the last three games of the series, Murray has averaged 47.3 points on 64.2 FG% and 62.9 3FG%. He’s been ultra-efficient with the rock, with just 1.7 errors average over that three-game stretch.
The good thing for Denver of late is that the Nuggets are not letting Murray do it all for the team. Nikola Jokic scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Game 6, while Jerami Grant added 18 points.
Even Michael Porter Jr., who’s been demoted to the bench, managed to grab 12 rebounds in the win to compensate for his anemic two-point production. The return of Gary Harris to an active role has also given the Nuggets a boost on defense, which they will definitely need in Game 7.
ROAD TEAM: #6 Utah Jazz (3-3)
Where would the Jazz be without Donovan Mitchell? The shooting guard once again put up a brilliant performance in Game 6, as he drained 14 of 25 shots to finish with 44 points. Mitchell is having an unforgettable playoff duel with Murray, and it’s become a “who blinks first” sort of contest.
Unlike Murray, though, Mitchell did not get much help from his teammates in Game 6, particularly from the struggling Joe Ingles. The Australian coughed up a measly total of five points in that game, and he’s now averaged just 6.0 points in the last three games of the series.
Mike Conley scored 21 points in Game 6, but the Jazz need more from the likes of Ingles and Jordan Clarkson, who came off the bench and shot 5 for 14 (1-6 3FG) for just 11 points.
That being said, Utah continues to shoot well from long range, as the Jazz went 18 for 36 in Game 6. The Jazz are making 44.9% oif their 3-point shots since the start of the playoffs.
PREDICTIONS:
The Jazz finally wake up and get contributions across the board to earn a 122-115 win.
