Given that they won the NBA championship last season, many people believed the Denver Nuggets to have the strongest starting five in basketball.
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch acknowledged as much before his team’s 106-99 Game 1 win Saturday, calling the Nuggets’ first unit “probably the most complete and complementary starting five in the league.”
Related posts
But Denver’s starters haven’t gotten off to a good start this postseason, and Nuggets coach Michael Malone believes that needs to change.
“We have to do a better job, our starters in particular, of being ready to play and setting the tone early,” Malone said following the Nuggets’ film session Sunday. “What are we waiting for?” “What are you waiting for now that we’re down 0-1?”
Four out of the five games in the Nuggets’ first-round series with the Los Angeles Lakers saw them outscored in the first quarter, finishing the quarter at minus-23.
In the first quarter of Game 1 of their second-round series against Minnesota, the Nuggets outscored the Wolves 25-23, but only after falling behind 18-4 and having to expend energy to rally back into it.
“I talked to our players this morning about how, for five games against the Lakers, we were down [virtually] every first quarter,” Malone told the media. “So, do I believe our men are absolutely prepared to do whatever it takes to defend our title? Of course, I do. But at some point, man, you have to quit doing the same thing.
Jamal Murray, a Nuggets point guard, was among several who struggled against Minnesota. Due to a left calf strain he suffered against the Lakers, Murray entered the game questionable and went 0-for-5 in the first half.
When asked what the Wolves did to keep him quiet early on, Murray answered, “Nothing; I’ve been scoreless plenty of times before.”
He finished with 17 points, going 6-for-9 in the second half, and played 34 minutes.
“I’m good,” Murray answered when questioned about his health. “How many minutes did I play?” It was good enough.”
Murray refused to admit any limitations as inquiries about his calf injury lingered.
“I’m not going to make any excuses, bro,” Murray stated. “Everyone has nagging injuries. Everyone is going through something at this time of the year. To be honest, my calf is identical to everyone else’s on the team or in the league. Obviously, it stinks, but it’s not something I love discussing as part of the loss.
“I accept that it will be part of [the playoff run], and there are counters for everything.”So I’ll just keep tweaking, and we’ll find methods to get it done. “I do not know, man.” “The calf is whatever it is.”
The Nuggets have Murray listed as questionable for Game 2.
Last spring, the Nuggets never trailed in a series and did not lose a home game until the NBA Finals. They are now down after giving up home-court advantage in the conference semifinals.
“This year is different,” Malone explained. “This is a different team. This is a different configuration. And now there’s a new challenge. So let’s embrace that.
“We’re down. We did not want to be, yet we are. So let’s fight like hell tomorrow night and get it all out there.”
