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The Denver Nuggets suffered a heartbreaking loss at home in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, which tied the series at two games apiece. This followed an exhilarating overtime victory for the Nuggets.
Denver has done well in challenging Oklahoma City, largely thanks to star center Nikola Jokic. In Game 1, Jokic delivered an impressive performance, scoring 42 points, grabbing 22 rebounds, and shooting 51.7% from the field. However, he has struggled since then. Over the last three games, Jokic has been averaging 21.3 points and 12.3 rebounds over the last three games while shooting just 33.3% from the field and 18.2% from the three-point range. For the series as a whole, he's shooting a playoff career-low of 39.1% from the field and 21.4% from three.
On "NBA Countdown," ESPN's Kendrick Perkins was asked if fatigue might be affecting the three-time MVP. Perkins agreed that it may be a factor, but emphasized that this is largely due to the performance of the No. 1-seeded Thunder.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Russell Westbrook (4).© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
"It is," Perkins said. "But, this is credit to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is a team that gets physical with you. Multiple bodies, starting with Isaiah Hartenstein. Then you have J-Will (Jaylin Williams) off the bench who comes in and has six fouls and I guarantee they tell him all six fouls need to be used because you are being physical with Jokic ... I don't know if Jokic is going to be able to find his way in this series to be honest with you."
Another factor to consider is the Nuggets' lack of depth. Only six players have logged at least 15 minutes per game in this series. Among them is Jokic, who has been playing an impressive 40.3 minutes per game. This follows a tough seven-game series against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, where he averaged 40 minutes per game. Additionally, Jokic recorded a career-high average of 36.7 minutes per game during the regular season.
The team will be hoping he can find a second wind to help lead the Nuggets to a crucial Game 5 win on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Continue reading...
Denver has done well in challenging Oklahoma City, largely thanks to star center Nikola Jokic. In Game 1, Jokic delivered an impressive performance, scoring 42 points, grabbing 22 rebounds, and shooting 51.7% from the field. However, he has struggled since then. Over the last three games, Jokic has been averaging 21.3 points and 12.3 rebounds over the last three games while shooting just 33.3% from the field and 18.2% from the three-point range. For the series as a whole, he's shooting a playoff career-low of 39.1% from the field and 21.4% from three.
On "NBA Countdown," ESPN's Kendrick Perkins was asked if fatigue might be affecting the three-time MVP. Perkins agreed that it may be a factor, but emphasized that this is largely due to the performance of the No. 1-seeded Thunder.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Russell Westbrook (4).© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
"It is," Perkins said. "But, this is credit to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is a team that gets physical with you. Multiple bodies, starting with Isaiah Hartenstein. Then you have J-Will (Jaylin Williams) off the bench who comes in and has six fouls and I guarantee they tell him all six fouls need to be used because you are being physical with Jokic ... I don't know if Jokic is going to be able to find his way in this series to be honest with you."
Another factor to consider is the Nuggets' lack of depth. Only six players have logged at least 15 minutes per game in this series. Among them is Jokic, who has been playing an impressive 40.3 minutes per game. This follows a tough seven-game series against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, where he averaged 40 minutes per game. Additionally, Jokic recorded a career-high average of 36.7 minutes per game during the regular season.
The team will be hoping he can find a second wind to help lead the Nuggets to a crucial Game 5 win on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Continue reading...
