Jokic s all-round performance helps the Nuggets win the Thunder, and the series is suspense to the tiebreaker

On May 16, a thrilling match was staged in the second round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-107 at home, tied the total score of the series to 3-3, successfully dragging the suspense into the tiebreak. This game is one of the most exciting matches in this round of the series. Both stars performed well, but the defending champion Nuggets laughed to the end with their more balanced performance and stable performance at critical moments.

Jokic plays the stamina of the Nuggets as the absolute core of the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic once again proves why he is the most comprehensive center in the league today. Throughout the game, Jokic contributed 29 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists with a quasi-triple double-double, with a shooting percentage of up to 60%. The Serbian center not only showed excellent scoring ability on the offensive end, but also connected the entire team's offense with his excellent basketball IQ. When the Thunder tried to open the score at the end of the third quarter, it was Jokic who hit the key ball in a row and sent exquisite assists to help the Nuggets make a 20-8 offensive to turn the situation around.

Jokic also made an indelible contribution on the defensive end. Facing the Thunder's young and energetic inside combination, he controlled the penalty area with his outstanding sense of position and rebound prediction. Five of the 14 rebounds were frontcourt rebounds, which created a large number of second-offensive opportunities for the Nuggets. Although he was only two assists away from the triple-double in the end, Jokic's influence on the court was far beyond the data's fullest. Whenever the Thunder tries to start a trend, Jokic can always respond in various ways, which is the well-deserved decisive needle of the Nuggets.

Murray Braun joined forces to contribute key support

In addition to Jokic's stable performance, the outstanding performance of Jamal Murray and Christian Braun is also the key to the Nuggets' victory. Murray contributed comprehensive data of 25 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, especially in the final stage of the game. When the Thunder launched a crazy counterattack, Murray made consecutive key shots to stabilize the morale. As the core of the Nuggets' backcourt, Murray found a perfect balance between organizational offense and personal scoring. His high pick-and-roll cooperation with Jokic made the Thunder defense lose sight of one thing.

Braun, who came on as a substitute, became the biggest surprise of this game. The young guard scored 23 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, and all three of the data set a record high in the individual playoffs. Braun not only has amazing efficiency on the offensive end (shooting percentage exceeds 65%), but also takes on the heavy responsibility of marking Alexander on the defensive end. When the Nuggets' main lineup needs a break, it is Braun's outstanding performance that helps the team maintain its lead. Strauser also contributed 15 points from the bench, while the Nuggets scored a total of 38 points, far exceeding the Thunder's substitute.

Alexander is unable to play alone. The young Thunder lineup pays tuition fees

For the Thunder, Shay Gilgers-Alexander continued his outstanding form in the series, scoring 32 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists in the game. As the Thunder star, Alexander is almost omnipotent on the offensive end. Whether it is a mid-range jump shot, a breakthrough layup or a three-pointer from the outside, it makes the Nuggets' defense a headache. However, in sharp contrast to the multi-point bloom of the Nuggets, other Thunder players failed to give Alexander enough support.

rookie center Chet Homegren contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds double-double, but he didn't have many ways to defend against Jokic at critical moments. Jaylen Williams was in a sluggish state, scoring only 6 points, and although he gave 10 assists, his shooting percentage was less than 30%. The Thunder's outside feels cold, with a three-point shooting percentage of the game being only 31%, far below the season average. When the Nuggets expanded their lead to 16 points in the early stage of the fourth quarter, the young Thunder players clearly showed insufficient experience. Although they played a 14-6 attack wave at the last moment to narrow the score difference, it was too late.

Tactical Game: Nuggets' inside advantage determines the winner

From a tactical perspective, the Nuggets fully utilized their inside advantage in this game. In response to the Thunder's relatively weak inside defense, Nuggets coach Mike Malone specially arranged more low-post offenses and second-block competitions. The Nuggets led 56-42 in the inside score and had a 15-9 frontcourt rebound, creating a large number of second-offensive opportunities for them. Jokic and Gordon (although they only scored 5 points but contributed 7 rebounds and 7 assists) have created a lot of open opportunities for the outside shooters.

Thunder coach Mark Degenut tried to offset the Nuggets' inside advantage by speeding up the pace of the game and increasing the outside shooting, but other players except Alexander felt poorly. The Thunder frequently adopts the strategy of double-teaming Jokic on the defensive end, which although limited the Serbians' scoring to a certain extent, it has created a large number of breakthroughs and open shots for Murray, Braun and others. When the game entered a critical moment, the execution of the Thunder young lineup was obviously not as good as the experienced defending champion.

Trick seven battle prospect: Experience vs Youth

As the Nuggets drag the series into tie seven, the two teams will have the ultimate showdown at home at the Thunder. Historical data shows that the home team's winning rate in the NBA playoff tiebreaker game exceeded 70%, which undoubtedly injects confidence into the young Thunder. However, the defending champion Nuggets have richer playoff experience, and core players such as Jokic and Murray have all experienced the baptism of the championship. The key to the tiebreak battle will be whether the Thunder can improve the efficiency of the outside shooting and how to limit Jokic's all-around performance. For the Nuggets, in addition to continuing to play their inside advantages, they also need to maintain stable output from outside players such as Murray. The depth of the bench may also be a decisive factor. If the Nuggets' outstanding performance in this game can be continued, it will add an important weight to their away victory.

No matter what the result is, this round of the series has shown a wonderful showdown between the old and new NBA. The Thunder Youth Army has proved its bright future, while the Nuggets have demonstrated the resilience and foundation of the defending champion. The tiebreaker will surely become one of the most exciting games in the playoffs this season. Fans will witness whether the Thunder's youth storm is better or whether the Nuggets' rich experience has the last laugh.