Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone says he's ready to play star big man Nikola Jokic 48 minutes in Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Malone says there's no point to save Jokic for anything because their season is on the line.

Jokic has been a monster all series for the Nuggets. The 24-year-old is averaging 23.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists while shooting 52.5 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 89.3 percent from the free-throw line.

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The Nuggets lost Game 6 in San Antonio, but Jokic put up one of the best playoff performances in NBA history. The center finished with 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in 38 minutes. Jokic shot an efficient 63.3 percent from the floor.

The Spurs don't have anyone who can guard Jokic in the post. Denver needs to feed the ball to Jokic in the post all game in Game 7. The Spurs will double-team Jokic in the post, which will free up the shooters on the Nuggets for wide-open jump shots.

San Antonio has the more experienced roster, so they won't be fazed by the pressure that comes with a Game 7. Paul Millsap and Will Barton are the only starters on the Nuggets who had playoff experience on their résumé coming into the 2019 postseason.

Jokic, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris are playing in their first playoff series.