Tim Legler explains why the Timberwolves-Nuggets collection has been inconceivable to foretell recreation to recreation. (1:39)
DENVER — Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray is “feeling nice” and went by a full follow on Saturday, in accordance with head coach Michael Malone.
Murray injured his proper elbow when he ran right into a display set by Rudy Gobert within the opening moments of Minnesota’s 115-70 Recreation 6 rout of the Nuggets. Murray mentioned after the sport on Thursday night time that he hoped for his crew’s sake he may get his elbow feeling proper by Sunday’s Recreation 7.
However on the finish of Saturday’s follow, Murray stayed late to get photographs up and might be seen drilling a number of 3-pointers in a row whereas an assistant coach challenged the photographs.
“He feels nice,” Malone mentioned after follow.
Requested if Murray is hungry to play effectively in Recreation 7 after capturing simply 4-for-18 and scoring 10 factors in Recreation 6, Malone mentioned his level guard “seemed very hungry immediately.”
“Appear like he hadn’t eaten in two days,” Malone mentioned. “So hopefully that carries over tomorrow. I hope he does not eat till tomorrow till 6:00 p.m.”
Murray is averaging 19.7 factors on 50% capturing, together with 42% on 3-pointers, in Denver’s three wins this collection. Within the three losses to Minnesota, Murray is averaging 11.7 factors and 26% capturing.
Recreation 7, although, will not be a brand new expertise for Murray, Nikola Jokic and Malone. These three have been in 4 Recreation 7’s for the reason that 2019 postseason. They’re 3-1 in these video games, profitable their previous two within the NBA bubble when the Nuggets got here again from down 3-1 to beat the Jazz and Clippers within the first two rounds in 2020.
“The message is straightforward, man,” Malone mentioned of what he advised his crew. “Recreation 7’s are nice. Get pleasure from it. Me, Jamal and Nikola, we have been a part of 4 of these video games in our six years within the playoffs. That is why you’re employed so onerous to get home-court benefit for, in entrance of the most effective followers within the NBA.
“And we all know that in Recreation 7, each possession issues. There could be no ‘my dangerous’s’ tomorrow.”
Michael Porter Jr., who has scored a complete of 18 factors up to now three video games, says the defending champs have loads of big-game expertise to lean on. He additionally cited how the Nuggets beat the Wolves at house, 116-107, within the third-to-last regular-season recreation when each groups had been jockeying for home-court benefit within the postseason.
“Recreation 7’s are all the time nice video games,” Porter mentioned. “However we performed in numerous huge video games, you recognize what I imply?
“… We had an identical recreation in opposition to them to resolve what was presupposed to be the 1-seed late within the season. So we performed this crew in huge moments, and we’re wanting ahead to the problem.”