Basketball Intelligence for 5/10/23
The Day's Best NBA Reporting and Analysis
YESTERDAY’S GAMES
PHX 102, DEN 118
Nikola Jokic's triple-double puts Nuggets one win from WCF
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN
Third-quarter clinic from Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray power Nuggets’ 118-102 Game 5 win over Suns
Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post
Nuggets Return to Denver and Form in Game 5
Brendan Vogt, DNVR
Nuggets’ film session leads to picture-perfect outing against Suns
Tony Jones, The Athletic
Here’s what [the Nuggets] weren’t doing correctly. Booker was getting too much free rein to dribble into looks. He would bring the ball up the floor, get right into a double drag screen, get to his spot in the midrange and then rise and fire. Malone and the players were adamant that needed to stop. What was the adjustment? Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, Christian Braun, whoever guarded him Tuesday night picked Booker up full court, tried to become an irritant, made him work for every inch of real estate on the floor.
What else weren’t the Nuggets doing correctly? They were significantly shocked by the pace Phoenix played with in the wake of a Chris Paul groin injury that cost him the middle games of the series.
Suns can quell doubts about closing abilities, but face a few obstacles
Dave King, Bright Side Of The Sun
Suns face elimination, search for Devin Booker’s help returns in Denver
Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns 'have all the answers' facing elimination after Game 5 loss at Denver Nuggets
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
PHI 115, BOS 103
'Last year is over with': How the Celtics can save their season
Brian Windhorst, ESPN
The Celtics showed no heart in a Game 5 loss, and concerning casualness has their backs against the wall now
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
When Tyrese Maxey squirted away from his defender and raced to the rim to beat the shot clock, Jayson Tatum had a decision: either contest the 6-foot-2-inch Maxey at the rim or just relent and let him score again.
Tatum chose option B.
No Need to Wait for Game 6 to Begin the "What If..." Game with the Celtics, Now On the Brink of Playoff Elimination
Sherrod Blakely, Full Court Press Newsletter