Nuggets coach Mike Malone saw a „marked difference“ in his team’s energy and approach on Saturday in Game 2, when Denver evened its series with the LA Clippers.
After a 23-point loss in Game 1, Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone said his team had a completely new look and energy on Saturday as it bounced back to win Game 2 110-101 and even its playoff series with the LA Clippers. „I thought tonight we were a noticeably different team than we were in Game 1,“ Malone said. „Our defense, our activity and the fact that we were willing to help each other.“ Coming off a grueling seven-game first-round series with the Utah Jazz, the Nuggets showed clear signs of fatigue in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals after having only one day off. Although Denver center Nikola Jokic said he „wasn’t tired at all“ following the opener, Malone acknowledged that there were some heavy legs, and guard Jamal Murray admitted that he was worn out from the previous series. „Game 1, we were tired. Hate to admit it,“ Murray said in his postgame TNT interview. Murray played 40 minutes in Game 2, scoring 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting and registering six assists. He said not playing in the fourth quarter of Game 1 combined with having the day off Friday helped him in getting his legs back.
