2 weeks Ago By Vinny Benedetto [email protected]
The Clippers became the second team to have a non-playing member of their organization try to delay Nikola Jokic’s game. In Game 4 of the Nuggets’ 2023 second-round series against the Suns, Jokic and Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia got tangled up when Denver’s center tried to quickly restart play after the ball bounced into the crowd minutes before halftime. Jokic avoided suspension but was fined $25,000 for his involvement.
The two made nice prior to Game 5. The stakes were even more severe Saturday. After Jamal Murray poked the ball off of Kawhi Leonard’s hip and into the Clippers’ bench.
Jokic went to retrieve the ball in hopes of either getting the ball in bounds before the Clippers could challenge or take advantage of an unprepared defense. “I think definitely it’s not supposed to happen, because I think the NBA wants to make (it) a quick, speedier game,” Jokic said, noting he was told prior to the season that he could no longer re-tie his shoes or use other tricks to burn valuable seconds. “They said I cannot do that anymore, but it seems like they can do it.
” Jeff Van Gundy, the Clippers lead assistant, and trainer Jasen Powell each maintained a firm grip on the ball, as Jokic tried to wrestle it away. “He looked pretty good. He held his ground and held onto the ball pretty well,” Nuggets guard Christian Braun said of the 63-year-old Van Gundy’s effort.
“It’s pretty embarrassing for Jok, but he was in the weight room afterward, so that’s good.” Jokic didn’t think it was a fair fight in multiple ways. “It’s just two against one,” Jokic said.
Nuggets interim coach David Adelman expressed his profound respect for all Van Gundy’s accomplishments and competitive spirit. He also got a joke off after the Clippers lost the challenge over possession but added he expected the NBA to have something to say before Monday’s Game 2. “My guys got to step it up.
If we’re allowed to just grab the ball and stop plays from happening, and it’s not a delay of game, then what have we been doing all year? I was an assistant, so what was I doing all year?” Adelman said. “If that is OK to do, and I guess that’s ok, then we should start doing it. I’ve never seen that before, to be honest.
...
It didn’t have any impact on the game, so it is what it is. I’m sure the league will look at it.” Woody Paige: Nuggets grab advantage, roll to Game 1 victory Closer talk The actions of the Nuggets’ new coach continued to match his words when it comes to his closing rotation.
Since taking over with three games left in the regular season, Adelman has maintained he’s going to close the game with the five players he believes best give his team a chance to win. Saturday that meant Michael Porter Jr. was the odd man out for an extended stretch of the fourth quarter and overtime, while Russell Westbrook earned the opportunity to be on the court in the clutch.
“I think everybody takes pride in finishing games on our team. If Jalen Pickett has a night, he’s going to finish the game. That’s just it.
It’s the bottom line. It’s the guys that are playing the best at that time are going to finish,” Adelman said. “I was going to go back to Mike at the end of the second, and we made a run.
You can’t stunt runs when things are happening. I felt bad for Mike because he sat so long. There was a couple of situations late game – do you throw him back in? Is that fair to somebody and the ball finds them and they’ve been sitting for, not game time but real life time, 40 minutes?” Porter was largely uninvolved in the more than 26 minutes he did play.
The 6-foot-10 forward got the Nuggets on the board by hitting a contested 3-pointer 50 seconds into the game. Then, he missed his final three shots. His only other contributions on the box score were four rebounds.
“I think teams are preparing for him. It’s really hard when someone is preparing for you. We definitely can find him a couple of more looks or this and that, but I think if that happens, you need to sacrifice,” Jokic said.
“I think the goal is to win the game. It’s not about minutes and shots. You need to support your team.
The next game could be a different game.” If Porter’s does more of the things that lead to his team’s success in Monday’s Game 2, expect him to be out there in the final minutes as long as Adelman continues to live up to his word. “If Mike comes out and he plays and he’s engaged defensively, he’s knocking down shots, Michael will be out there just like everybody else in that locker room,” Adelman said.
“I’m going to keep saying it. I mean it. We’re going to do anything we have to do to win a basketball game.
” Russell Westbrook wills Nuggets to 112-110 win over Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 Dialed-up defense One of the five periods of play was not like the others in Game 1. After the Nuggets gave up 35 points in the first quarter, Denver limited the Clippers to 18, 22 and 23 points, respectively, in the final three quarters before allowing 12 in a five-minute overtime. Three of the Clippers’ overtime points came with the Nuggets up five in the final seconds.
“We just flew around. Those two guys cause so many issues. I thought we adjusted too much early instead of just doing what we do hard.
I thought their intensity was better than ours early in the game,” Adelman said. “I thought our best adjustment of the night was ‘Let’s go back to doing what we thought we were going to do. Let’s just do it better,’ and we did.
” James Harden scored 15 points on 11 shots in the first quarter. He finished with 32 points on 22 shots, while primarily being defended by Christian Braun. “After that first quarter, we locked in,” Braun said.
“We started doing things the right way. We started being more physical. They were more physical than us to start.
That won’t happen again.” Nuggets vs. Clippers: 3 takeaways from Denver's overtime win in Game 1 Ticket box Those who waited until the final hours to buy tickets to Game 1 were better off waiting Monday’s Game 2.
With an hour to tipoff the cheapest ticket into Ball Arena, a seat in the 300 level, was going for $124. Seats in the 200 level were a little more expensive, while the cheapest seat in the 100 level was going for more than $221. There were a handful of Game 2 tickets available for as little as $62.
Fans could sit in the 100 level behind on of the baskets Monday for roughly the same price as a last-minute ticket to Game 1. Other athletes show support It wasn’t quite a celebrity row in Game 1 at Ball Arena, but there were a few notable faces in the crowd. Bo Nix, the Broncos’ starting quarterback, and Peyton Manning, the QB1 for Denver’s last Super Bowl squad, were among the biggest names in attendance.
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight Maycee Barber, a Greeley native, took the ceremonial first shot and exchanged signed gear with Jamal Murray, a mixed martial arts enthusiast..
