The Nuggets really planted a big heel this time, and they were pressed to the ground by the Timberwolves at the beginning of the game. In the first Western Conference semifinals, the Nuggets lost, not only lost, but also a bit miserable. Everyone knows that basketball is played by five people, but yesterday it looked like the Nuggets were fighting hard like Nikola Jokic alone, what about the others? It seems that they have forgotten how to play.
Let's talk about Nikola Jokic first, this big man really fought hard yesterday and held up the whole team alone. With 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, it's a superstar statistic. But basketball is not a one-man game, what about other people's performances? It's almost like lifting the table! Alan Gordon and Jamal Murray combined for 26 points, how can this weight be compared to Edwards on the opposite side? One of them scored more than 30 points.
Not to mention the Nuggets' defense, it's a door. The Timberwolves' players are attacking with an unimpeded approach, especially Edwards, who is as comfortable as playing in his own backyard. The Nuggets' defensive strategy and execution were really poor yesterday, and the Timberwolves boys scored as easily as a cake.
Then, let's talk about the bench. The Nuggets' bench could be described as "powerless" yesterday. He scored a total of 15 points in the game, which is nothing compared to the Timberwolves' bench. If you look at the Timberwolves, the few lads who came out of the bench not only scored a lot, but also defended positively and were full of energy, which was a storm of youth.
Therefore, the Nuggets lost unjustly. Nikola Jokic was on his own, the others were mediocre, the defense was full of holes, and the bench didn't play as well as it should. With such a performance, how is it possible to win against the Timberwolves?
But in basketball, every game is a new beginning. If the Nuggets want to turn the tables in the next games, they will have to improve on several fronts. The first is the mentality, the whole team needs to adjust the mentality, and we can't rely on Nikola Jokic alone. Basketball is a team sport that requires the collaboration and support of five people.
Second, the Nuggets' defense must be strengthened. You can't make it so easy for opposing players to score, especially against key players like Edwards, and you need to have a more targeted defensive strategy. Also, the players on the bench need to be in good spirits and be able to play to make a difference, not only in scoring, but also in defending and passing.
In short, if the Nuggets want to make a difference in the subsequent games, they must find problems from the two aspects of teamwork and tactical execution, and find the crux of the problem, so as to really get back to their state. As we all know, momentum is very important in the game of basketball, and once you regain your form and confidence, the next game will be a different world. Nikola Jokic is strong, but on the basketball court, victory always favors teams that work together.
Looking back at yesterday's game, despite some exciting moments, the Nuggets' performance was a bit disappointing. Fans watch the game, not only to see those moments of showing off their skills, but also to see the unity and hard work of the team. It's not terrible to lose, it's scary to lose fighting spirit and confidence. Therefore, the most important thing for the Nuggets in the next games is to regain the selfless passing and shared sense of defensive responsibility between the teams.
Speaking of the Timberwolves, their performance yesterday can be described as full firepower. The bench was particularly commendable, not only supporting the team in terms of scoring, but also playing a key role in the defensive moments. The Timberwolves were able to win the game yesterday thanks to a strong performance from the bench. Their performance gave the Nuggets a good lesson: in basketball games, the firepower of the bench is equally important.
For the Nuggets, what they have to do in the next game is to completely adjust and reflect. Not only the main lineup must exert strength, but the bench must also be able to stand up in time and shoulder part of the responsibility. Every player who takes on the pitch should have a sense of mission and urgency, and go all out to fight for every point. For the head coach, it is necessary to work tactical arrangement, reasonably schedule the playing time and tactical use of each player, and maximize the effectiveness of each player on the field.
Basketball is always a place where miracles can happen. Although the Nuggets lost this time, the charm of the game is that every failure is a foreshadowing of the next success. As long as the Nuggets can learn their lessons and adjust their form, they are fully capable of showing a different style in the next games.
All in all, although this game was a little disappointing for Nuggets fans, it was also an opportunity for deep lessons and reflection. Learning from failures and finding breakthroughs in reflection, the Nuggets have every reason to believe that there is still a long way to go and hope for the game. Let's wait and see if the Nuggets can surprise us more in the next games.