While they are struggling with the Lakers, the Clippers, the Warriors, the Wolves and the Grizzlies for places 3 to 8 in the Western Conference, the Nuggets crack at the worst time with a 4th reverse in a row. The absence of Jamal Murray seems much more complicated to manage than expected and the umpteenth triple-double of Nikola Jokic is no longer enough.
However, Mike Malone's players had taken the match by the right end with in particular a huge post with two hands by Michael Porter Jr. on Obi Toppin's head. Nikola Jokic also goes to his little dunk, and the Serbian signs a very large first quarter with 3-point on the Myles Turner muzzle, then a “Dream Shake” to enroll Thomas Bryant. After twelve minutes, the Nuggets lead 33-24, and Jokic is already at 21 points!
While Toppin almost forgot Siakam, the Nuggets insist with Russell Westbrook. The All-Star leader finds Aaron Gordon for the Dunk, then offers himself a “coastt-to-coast” to give 11 points ahead (48-37). But the Pacers do not break, and the ball circulates quickly and well as on this sequence which ends with a Dunk of Turner. At halftime, nuggets only lead 66-61.
Nikola Jokic's dumpling
Upon returning from the locker room, the level of play rises from a notch, and the pacers and the nuggets go blow for blow, like this crazy sequence of 90 seconds with 16 points registered. Christian Braun is boiling, but Toppin answers him in the corner to give the advantage to the Pacers (79-78). Jokic reassures fans of the nuggets to launch a 6-0 but the rotations of Rick Carlisle bear fruit, and Jarace Walker and TJ McConnell allow the Pacers to switch to the lead (98-97).
The last quarter is an opportunity for the Pacers to take up to 10 points ahead of Myles Turner (116-106). And it is still Braun who shakes his teammates to bring the nuggets back to two units at the entrance to the “money time” (119-117). On a Haliburton service, Nembhard gives a little air to the Pacers (122-118) one minute from the end.
Except that Braun puts his free throws and recovers the failed 3-point from Turner. Nuggets have the ball to equalize or pass in front. And there, as in front of the Wolves, they take their feet in the carpet with a return to the Jokic area, which was looking for Russell Westbrook! The Pacers are not asked to transform this dumpling, and win 125-120.
What to remember
Who is the fault? As in front of the Wolves, the Nuggets have poorly negotiated possession to tear off the victory. This time, it is Jokic who does not provide his pass and causes a return to the zone. But it is Christian Braun who will take responsibility for it, explaining that he was thinking of making a hand in his hand with Jokic, to finally hinder him in his pass.
Feverishness. This lost ball was the 6th of the Nuggets in the last quarter, and the players of Mike Malone lost three in the last two minutes …
The Pacers in shape. Fourth row victory for the Pacers, who now have three successes in advance on the Bucks in the race for 4th place. The two teams should meet in the first round of the playoffs.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
