Phoenix Suns ruin Jokić’s MVP party with a balanced attack.
Back on Friday night, Nikola Jokić received his NBA MVP Award before Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Phoenix Suns. Jokić and his Denver Nuggets teammates were down 2-0 to the Suns and needed a win in a big way.
Unfortunately for the Nuggets and the hometown crowd, the Suns just came with too balanced of an attack. All five starters scored in double figures and had a positive +/-. Only Devin Booker shot under 50% (mostly due to a 2-for-7 from three-point range). The Nuggets, on the other hand, had all five starters shoot under 50% and turn in poor +/- numbers, all in the negative. In fact, only Monte Morris shot over 50% (66.7% on 8-for-12 shooting). That is amongst any Nugget with more than 15 minutes on the floor. As a team, the Nuggets shot 14-for-41 (!!!) from beyond the arc. I understand the usage rates of the three-point shot ever since Stephen Curry came into the league. However, when you’re down 2-0 in a series and consistently by double figures in the second half of Game 3? Maybe take some higher percentage shots. That is an oversimplification, but you live by the three…you die by the three.
They died by the three.
This all puts more burden on Jokić. Even with a poor shooting night – from three (16.7%); at the line (55.6%) – he was a one-man show. The Joker turned in a massive triple-double with 32 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. At the moment he got his tenth assist, the broadcaster noted, “That line can’t be all that common.” Right you are sir! With that trip-dub, Jokić joined Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players with a 30-20-10 in a playoff game. Wilt the Stilt is the only one of the three to see his team win.
Can Jokić play a more post-centric game and change the Nuggets’ fortunes?
So, back to harping on over-reliance on the three, sort of. Jokić took 37 shots, only 6 of which were long balls. He’s not really the problem, but maybe he should attack Deandre Ayton a bit more in the post and mid-range. Despite the fact that Ayton plays him very well (by his own words), maybe he can collapse the defense if others come to help. When they do, his passing inside the lane and from out of the post is so superior, he could direct the perimeter offense from there. From there, I envision Michael Porter Jr. and Morris leading the attack from deep. Additionally, free up Will Barton’s minutes’ restriction for Game 4. Then he can slash inside, creating more movement on offense. That could circumnavigate stale, motionless shooters waiting on the arc.
Nikola Jokic no look pass to Will Barton for the dunk ???#Nuggets pic.twitter.com/Qq2aqzRb8L
— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) June 10, 2021
Clearly, they are missing Jamal Murray in a huge way, but they should be able to make this a series. If Porter and Morris get hot from the arc. Add in Barton all over the place. If the Suns go glacially cold and Jokić runs the game, they have a great chance at not getting swept.
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