Nikola Jokic After Game 4: “It’s a Huge Thing to Win in San Antonio”

The Denver Nuggets are alive. Mike Malone’s guys defeated San Antonio Spurs in the fourth game of their playoff series, and tied the score at 2-2. The result in AT&T Center last night was 117-103 for the guest from Colorado, who finally took one game on the road against the big rivals.

After 2012, this is the first triumph of the Nuggets franchise here in Texas.

“I saw confidence. That’s what I saw,” said coach Michael Malone. “I saw a young team that was not thinking about 2012.”

That young team was down 12 points at the end of the first period, 34-22, and everything pointed towards another loss against the Spurs, and eventually the elimination of the series. But all of a sudden the youngsters woke up and started pounding in the second quarter, leveling the result at the halftime to 54-54.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dJp4w2VE2c

Eventually, they finally found the weak spot of the Spurs in the third sequence, and for the first time took command of the floor. Denver won that part of the game with 37-25, making Gregg Popovich furious at his players because of their defensive slips. The Nuggets were 5 of 9 from downtown and 6 of 8 for two in those 12 minutes, and they missed only one of 11 free throws.

We knew that was gonna happen, and we did not respond. So it was a very disappointing loss, ’cause I think the Nuggets played harder and smarter than we did.”

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were looking like true leaders last night, and these two combined for 63 points. Murray was looking much better than in Game 3 and that is what made all the Nuggets’ fans and players more comfortable.

The Canadian was 8 from 14 from the field, and had 6 assists, but his contribution was immeasurable because of the energy brought in the third period when Denver broke Spurs’ resistance.

“He needs so little trigger to step to another level. And when he steps to another level, he just brings us all with him.”

Jokic meanwhile, showed why many consider him the real MVP this season. The Serb was doing all the dirty work against San Antonio’s frontcourt, and with huge help from Millsap and Tory Craig, controlled the glass. At the end of the night, the Joker had 29 points, 12 boards from which 5 offensive and 8 assists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUXmmNvBLMM

“I never won a game here, and it is a big thing for me personally, and the team especially,” said Jokic, who emphasized the fact that his team regained a home court advantage now, which is a huge edge when facing the Spurs.

The above-mentioned Torey Craig was phenomenal. Denver’s forward dropped five three-pointers in seven attempts, totaling for 18 buckets with 8 boards. On the other part of the court, Craig disrupted the hosts with his rock-solid defense which Jokic mentioned afterward.

“He’s helping us on defensive rebounds. So, he helps in that part of the game, and his defense is really phenomenal.”

The series is now heading back to Pepsi Center, where Nuggets have a completely different mindset when facing their opponents. They have the best home record in the league, 34-7, and are very much tougher team to beat than on the road.

Before Game 1 when Spurs defeated Denver, Jokic and the boys won both of the regular-season matches at Mile High. One was a close call, 102-99, and the second was a demonstration of power in which San Antonio suffered one of the worst defeats of the season, 113-85.

Still, this is the postseason, and things are much different now, but for the Nuggets Tuesday’s game is a chance to make one step towards the second round.

DeMar DeRozan was ejected late in Nuggets-Spurs Game 4 for tossing the ball at the official 😳 pic.twitter.com/qXo8NLhJ3Q

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 21, 2019

They have the momentum, and what is noticeable is that they made their opponents nervous. On several occasions, Spurs’ players lost their composure, and the best example was DeMar DeRozan’s frustration in the last quarter. The All-Star was ejected because of throwing a ball towards the referee, and that is something which could tell us that the situation is changing in favor of the second-seeded team in the West.

However, nobody should underestimate Popovich and his system.

Game 5 starts Tuesday, 3 p.m. local time.