Inglewood, Calif. – The Denver Nuggets find themselves gearing up for a decisive Game 7 against the Los Angeles Clippers following a contentious Game 6 that left interim coach David Adelman frustrated due to the officiating. Adelman was unhappy with the physicality permitted against star player Nikola Jokic, as he and his team aim to push past this final hurdle in the first-round playoff series.
The Clippers’ staunch defense played a pivotal role in edging out the Nuggets with a 111-105 victory, prompting Denver to regroup and prepare for a do-or-die clash. Adelman criticized the lax officiating for letting too much contact pass unpunished, a factor he believed undermined Jokic’s game as he managed just two free throw opportunities in the entire game. In contrast, the Clippers visited the line 15 times, even though both squads wrestled with physical defense.
“Nikola gets fouled a lot,” Adelman declared. He expressed bewilderment over Jokic’s limited free throw attempts given the intense contact and expectantly looked forward to the opportunity to match that physicality in the next battle. With smaller players like 6-foot-8 Nicolas Batum opposing the 6-foot-11 Jokic, the Clippers skillfully turned the game’s tide, confining Jokic to five points in the second half while acknowledging that such officiating is part and parcel of playoff basketball.
Despite the heated frustrations with the game’s refereeing, Adelman conceded that it wasn’t the primary determinant in the closely matched contest between two teams ending the season with identical records. “This is what I expected, honestly. It’s been an even series,” Adelman noted.
Having succumbed to recent playoff pressures, the Nuggets have struggled with closing out series, losing four of their last five closeout games. Their performance has left them with lingering memories of a bruising last-second surge, notably when they collapsed against Minnesota last season despite holding a lead.
Nicking only one victory over the Lakers amidst these closeouts, Denver hopes to recalibrate their approach in Game 7 against the Clippers. Star player Jamal Murray, instrumental in Game 6 with 21 points, downplayed the psychological weight of past defeats, urging instead that, “We’ve just got to come out with the same kind of desperation.”
Unperturbed by past shortcomings, Jokic maintains a determined mindset and aims to tackle the next matchup with his consistent zeal. Highlighting past championship triumphs when the Nuggets overcame similar challenges, Jokic remains focused on treating this game with the gravity it deserves.
The opportunity to host Game 7 is a result of a strong end-season push that saw Denver capture critical wins after a surprising coaching change when Michael Malone was let go. Adelman emphasized the significance of earning home-court advantage and reinforced the team’s collective effort to seize this moment.
Looking ahead, Adelman motivated his squad with the reminder, “You’ve earned this opportunity. … You play all year for that.” As anticipation builds, the Nuggets are eager to deliver a stellar performance and secure their playoff ambitions in front of their home fans.