Initial thoughts from the Nuggets’ 112-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series:
The Nuggets’ interior defense struggled: Don’t let the Nuggets’ poor shooting performance in the first half (14 for 41 from the floor) overshadow their lackluster play on the defensive end. Denver was allowing too many baskets around the rim, as Minnesota scored 32 of its 47 first-half points from the paint. The Nuggets looked like they forgot Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards thrives at using his size to get downhill. Edwards converted seven shot attempts from the paint in the first half. Simply put, there were too many moments where the Nuggets looked disengaged on defense. The fact that Denver went into halftime with a one-point lead despite being outscored 32-18 in the paint was one of the most impressive stat lines of the night.
Nuggets rally from 15-point deficit: Jamal Murray provided the spark. He put on a masterclass performance, scoring 35 points (19 in the second half). Murray’s 12-point second quarter changed the momentum of the game. He hit big shot after big shot to put the Nuggets in front and keep them in front. The biggest play from Murray — outside of his ridiculous acrobatic spinning layup in the third quarter — was his pass to Nikola Jokic for a layup and a foul that gave the Nuggets a 5-point advantage with 28 seconds left. Whatever Denver needed, Murray delivered.
A look ahead: Heading into the series, the prediction here was that the Nuggets would beat Minnesota in five games. If only I had placed a bet on that. In more pressing matters, the Nuggets will advance to the second round and face the Phoenix Suns. Despite the Nuggets being the No. 1 seed, they will enter the semifinals as the underdog against Phoenix. But, the Nuggets have more depth than the Suns. Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Christian Braun have all logged important minutes during the playoffs — and looked good doing it. The issue will be containing Phoenix’s starting five, and Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul in particular. The Nuggets will have to avoid mental lapses on defense as showed up in the first round against Minnesota.
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