(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
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Game 1 certainly didn’t disappoint. As the first matchup to tip-off the 2020 NBA ‘Bubble’ Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz needed a 135-125 overtime affair to declare a victor. Now that’s Orange Roundball League entertainment, my friends.
Relying heavily on the supreme duo of Nikola “The Joker” Jokic and Jamal “Blue Arrow” Murray in the fourth quarter and overtime, the Nuggets snagged Game 1 despite an otherworldly performance from Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell dropped a berserk, bananas, bonkers 57 points on the Nuggs in a losing effort. In doing so, Donovan set the Jazz franchise-record for points scored in a playoff game. Previously, the mark was held by Hall of Famer Karl “The Mailman” Malone when he hit the 50-point mark in 2000.
Malone’s nickname is fitting — he always delivered throughout his extraordinary career. Since we’re talking about delivering when it matters the most, kudos to Mr. Mitchell for reeling-in the third-best scoring display in NBA playoff history behind only Michael Jordan and Elgin Baylor.
Wow.
For the Nuggets, Murray was simply sensational in the second half of Game 1. Deadlocked at 115 apiece at the end of regulation, Jamal scored or assisted on Denver’s first 16-points in overtime. He was raining wetness from the land of plenty, attacking the rim with vigor, and dishing dimes with ease after drawing extra defenders. Mr. Murray finished with 36 points, nine assists, and five rebounds in the contest.
Certified bucket getter. #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/bU69STv7qk
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 17, 2020
Game 2 was a completely different story altogether. The Nuggets started with good energy and effort, but were completely out-dueled by the Jazz late in the second quarter and throughout the second half.
Mitchell didn’t drop 57 in Game 2, but he didn’t shy away from being Utah’s vocal leader both on the court as well as on the bench while getting restful minutes. Nevertheless, Donovan’s game did do some talking in the third and fourth quarters of Game 2.
How about Jordan Clarkson, folks? He was filthy-good for the Jazz in Game 2. Clarkson tallied a career-high playoff outing with 26 points (four three-point field goals), four rebounds, three assists, and one steal for good measure.
Denver looked porous defensively. The Jazz made it look easy from every angle, running away with a 124-105 win to tie this best-of-seven series at one game apiece. Utah ballooned their lead to as many as 31 in the second frame, cruising to their Game 2 victory.
The Nuggets will need to dig deep in pivotal Game 3 on Friday afternoon. Defensive issues have plagued Denver since the ‘bubble’ restart. Of the 22 teams competing in Orlando before playoff time came around on Monday, the Nuggs were last in total defense. Ouch, babe. Out indefinitely with injuries, Denver could use the likes of guards Gary Harris and Will Barton to tighten the reins on Utah’s perimeter offensive arsenal.
Without Harris and Barton yet again in Game 3, the Nuggets will need other guys to step-up with tremendous defensive efforts. If they can answer the call, they’ll be just fine with a great chance to win this first-round series. Another collapse on the back-end of the floor come Friday, and the Denver Nuggets will be one step closer to their doom.
Let’s pray for some lock-down defense.
Until next week, be smart, stay safe, and stay healthy.
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Randy we enjoyed this article as you wrap up coverage of the first 2 games. It was interesting to see the fight that the Nuggets had in the first game especially with the
points from Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz. Hopefully Denver can learn from game 2 and move on to win the series.