As the Denver Nuggets and leading MVP candidate Nikola Jokic entered the 2022 NBA playoffs campaign led by MVP-candidate Nikola Jokic, it was common knowledge they lacked a championship ceiling due to the ongoing absences of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Denver's secondary stars are unlikely to suit up for any game in the postseason, and the Nuggets lack the ancillary firepower needed to give Jokic enough support to manage a deep playoff run.
The Nuggets played an admirable first half in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Golden State Warriors, but any NBA fan knew that coach Steve Kerr and the home team just needed to flip the switch after intermission to make their lead insurmountable. That ended up being the case as Golden State imposed its will in the second half, running away to a 123-107 victory.
Denver is fighting an uphill battle in this series without Murray and Porter. Still, there are numerous adjustments coach Michael Malone and the Nuggets can make to at least have a puncher's chance at winning Monday's Game 2.
3 Nuggets adjustments for Game 2 vs. Warriors
Gordon, Morris must elevate their production
Jokic and Will Barton were more than ready to lead Denver to a win on Saturday, but it would be difficult to take a playoff game with only two all-around contributors. Jokic recorded 25 points, 10 boards and six assists, while Barton tallied 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists, stellar numbers from the Nuggets' most talented available players.
The missing link in Game 1 was the impact of two starters, namely Monte Morris and Aaron Gordon. They were relied upon to make an impact on both ends in the regular season, but struggled with their offensive numbers on Saturday, not even forcing Golden State's defense to adjust with their defensive schemes. Morris and Gordon need to be more aggressive and productive going forward for Denver to beat the Warriors.
Step up their defensive intensity
Most players from the Nuggets' main rotation are not known for their defensive prowess, but for them to stand a legitimate chance against Golden State, their defensive intensity must match their opponent's. Allowing over 120 points again to a much more talented squad would be a massive disaster for Denver, absent the scoring punch to keep up with a Warriors team clicking on all cylinders offensively.
Limiting the incredible trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole to less than 50% shooting from the field would not guarantee a victory, but at least give Denver a realistic chance of snatching games from Golden State. The Warriors involved Jokic in almost all their offensive sets for him to get exhausted, so Malone must counter for the following games and lessen the burden on Jokic on the defensive side of the court.
Slow the pace of the game
The approach of the Warriors with their immense talent is to push the pace even more when their threes are swishing through the rim. The objective is for opponents to lose control and focus as Golden State builds a huge cushion. For Malone and Denver to counter that style, Jokic must better control the pace of the game, milking the shot clock every possession to prevent Golden State from getting out in the open floor. Golden State lowing the pace and milking the shot clock every possession for Golden State to not run for the whole 48 minutes.
In the second half of Game 1, Denver's starters looked exhausted compared to the Warriors', evidence of the latter's far superior depth. When the pace is slower, it makes it more difficult for Golden State to create transition or semi-transition threes that derail the execution and momentum of their counterparts.
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