Tuesday night, the Nuggets won at the end of the suspense their place in the Western Conference semifinals at the expense of the Jazz and at the end of a long series of 7 games. In front of them stands from this Thursday (3h French time) a Clippers team more defensive and qualified for the second round (4-2 victory against Dallas) since Sunday evening, and therefore much more rested.
“This series is going to be completely different from the last I think. It will be harder in the game I think. ” Torrey Craig
Nikola Jokic and his friend Jamal Murray they come out of Game 7 at 39 and 42 minutes respectively. Even their coach, Mike Malone, said he was exhausted.
“I didn’t play a second against Utah and I woke up very tired. Emotionally I feel drained. I can hardly imagine how Jamal, Luka and all our other players are on this subject because so much has been asked of them already during these 58 days in the bubble… There were all these emotions, mixed with the physical demand to which must be added the jubilation and euphoria of having won a match 7. ”Mike Malone
On Wednesday, the team mainly prepared mentally.
“The mindset was put aside the series against Utah and get ready, hit the reset button, start thinking about the Clippers’ systems, the matchups, the game plan, their tendencies…” Mike Malone
In the last meeting between the two teams, Los Angeles had taught Colorado a lesson, 132-103. At the time, Malone called his team soft, and Will Barton, more in the bubble due to an injured knee, said his team needed to be tougher on the mental level, without being overwhelmed by the opposing physical play. In mid-August, the Clippers had again imposed themselves on the recovery in the bubble, 124-111.
“These are the teams you have to beat to be part of the elite. We can throw our title goals out the window if we do not respond to these matches. »Declared Monte Morris after the February game
“You have to be able to set up your attack, find your spots, positions on the wing. We have to come into this game with a really aggressive mindset, not letting them get us out of our attack as easily as in February. »Mike Malone
Jokic will be expected in the racket to exploit LA’s rather thin frontcourt, forced switches to free Murray too, but it is first mentally that the fight will begin.
“We saw what LA can do to its opponents in the event of a downturn. »Mike Malone
via Denver Post
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