It was an ear infection that had Jamal Murray listed as questionable for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. Murray contracted the infection on Saturday, but he was able to score 31 points Tuesday night as the Nuggets held off a late Lakers comeback.
Coach Michael Malone had Murray sit out practice leading up to the game so he could rest and try to recover. He watched film and reviewed the scouting reports, but he didn’t do anything physical until Tuesday’s tipoff.
“I sometimes marvel at the kid,” Malone said. “He showed up and performed like he always does.”
There’s more from Denver:
- The Nuggets focused on attacking D’Angelo Russell in Game 1, Singer adds in another Post story. Speaking after Wednesday’s film session, Bruce Brown described Russell as “not the best defender, but he tries.” The Lakers guard was a minus-25 for the game and played just nine minutes in the second half. “A guy that’s played really well for them was not on the floor in the fourth quarter, D’Angelo Russell,” Malone said. “And that to me is an interesting storyline. Are they going to play him? Are they not going to play him?”
- The Lakers had some success by using Rui Hachimura, a smaller defender, to guard Nikola Jokic in the second half Tuesday, but the Nuggets say other teams have tried the same tactic, including the Timberwolves in the first round, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “As a team, we’ve seen everything there is to see on how teams will try to guard Nikola,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “It might have surprised us for a little bit in that late second half, but looking at the film, I don’t think that that’ll be an issue for us. Next thing we know how to counter that when they put (Anthony Davis) off ball and AD is roaming a little bit, it opens up some stuff on the backside, so we just got to execute.”
- The Nuggets have benefited from Porter’s unselfish attitude during the playoffs, per Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports. During the second-round series against Phoenix, Porter told Malone that he wouldn’t object if Brown was used in his place to close out games, adding, “I just want to win.”
I think the Lakers would be better off conceding Jokic and playing their defense more focused on everyone else. You can’t stop Jokic but you can stop open 3’s and strong ball movement.
Jokic is just to good. And the Nuggets have the perfect team around him. If the games are called fairly, Conference championships should be a sweep. But anyone with a brain cell knows that won’t happen
Come on Nuggets don’t let the Refs take over the game like they did in the second half.
Just curious, am I the only one suspicious of all those trade deadline pick ups by Lakers? They really did not give much for them.
Are you suggesting that the Lakers getting Russell, Beasley and Vanderbilt for a buyout player, a late first Rd pick and a bunch of G league players, or a a future 2nd Rd pick for Mo Bamba is fixed?
Hmmm, and people actually believe this league is fair and impartial, ahahahahaha
My gosh you’re letting your feelings towards the Lakers destroy your ability to think clearly. You really think other trams want to do the Lakers a favor? Yeezus you’re….. never mind. No need to insult you but cot damn use better logic!
Suspicious of what? You think there was a huge conspiracy to help the Lakers reach the conference finals so they can lose anyway?
Well yes, are you serious? a conference finals for Lebron at 38? How does that not build the narrative that Silver and Lebron is better than Stern and Jordan?
Ask your team to trade for Bron Lakers would listen to a crazy trade any day lol Lakers give up alot when the weak don’t STOP CRYING!!
Don’t be suspicious: you have all the tools to break this down yourself (prolly not bul I’ll help)
Lets see Rui was never fetching a 1st, kudos for Rob for dangling the 3 2nds early, that was the cost and he met it (2 weeks ) early
Utah- Well Utah didn’t want to pay Conley next year so he had zero value to them (really negative if being honest)- Beasley had zero value to anyone, so Vandy netted a top 4 protected in Dannys eyes –
* If you really wanted to blame someone ( seems like ya do) send the blame over to Minny for taking Conley for Dlo thus making the 3 teamer dance
Ok, I’ll break down all your nonsense in one question. What did Utah get out of it?
A first Rd pick and 26 mill in cap room next season
Tim Connelly got swindled.. he could have shut down the whole trade
I don’t know if the article was written incorrectly but if not it’sa little surprising for a coach (Malone “ to make this comment about an opposing player’s usage.
“A guy that’s played really well for them was not on the floor in the fourth quarter, D’Angelo Russell,” Malone said. “And that to me is an interesting storyline. Are they going to play him? Are they not going to play him?”
I did a bit of a double-take at that too, but Malone did say it.