Denver Nuggets: Reasons for optimism despite Game 1 loss

The final seconds of the Denver Nuggets’ Game 1 loss saw the Pepsi Center crowd deflate like a balloon. Here’s why the tone will soon change.

As the Denver Nuggets turned the ball over and proceeded to foul with 1.3 seconds remaining, essentially sealing their Game 1 fate, many in the Pepsi Center crowd did the unthinkable: They headed towards the exits with time still on the clock.

First of all, give ’em a break. It’s been a while since this whole playoff thing.

Secondly, give the Nuggets their due. Because emerging from the over-amplified emotions of an arena lacking recent playoff experience was one bombshell of a truth: The game plan worked.

The San Antonio Spurs didn’t beat the Nuggets in Game 1. The home squad decisively, emphatically downed itself.

Denver’s defeat at its own hand didn’t happen in Jamal Murray‘s rough 10 final seconds. The loss occurred all throughout the cold, barren winter of a game, in which a frigid Nuggets squad failed to make more than six of its 28 3-point attempts (21.4 percent).

Yet, the Nuggets still had a shot to win the game with 9.4 seconds left, which some might say is evidence of just how much better the Nuggets are than the Spurs — they still could’ve won despite such an off shooting night.

If Denver had managed even a putrid 7-of-28 from deep (25 percent), it would’ve won. If it had knocked down a more standard mark, say 12-of-28? The first match is a blowout.

The Nuggets’ game plan won them the contest. Unfortunately, their shooting was just horrendous enough to erase the dub entirely.

The Spurs’ defense deserves credit, but besides an effective strategy, several other positives arose in this first contest.

Take Nikola Jokic, for example. It took him exactly one playoff game to register his first career postseason triple-double. The Spurs knew no one could guard him, as double-teams were sent galloping at all times.

Jokic responded with all the right passes. He tallied 14 assists. Anyone watching knows only teammates’ wonky shooting kept him from 20.

Many asked if Jokic would be playoff ready. We found the answer in Game 1: He most certainly is. Even the officials saw a calm, collected, mature Jokic. It appears coach Michael Malone’s heart-to-heart helped center his fiery unicorn.

Another question mark entering postseason play was the slump of Gary Harris. After averaging just 11.7 points per game in April and 10.6 per game in March, Harris was losing the respect of opposing defenses.

On Saturday, Harris scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting. More importantly, he demonstrated that he’s postseason-capable, and that Jokic has a steady hand next to him. It appears Denver’s best two-way guard is making his revival at the perfect time.

Defensively, the Nuggets looked solid on Saturday. Aside from DeMar DeRozan‘s 18 points (on a poor 6-of-17 shooting) no Spurs player scored more than 16. Superstar LaMarcus Aldridge managed just 15 points on a tough 6-of-19 shooting (kudos to Jokic and Paul Millsap). After scoring 12 first half points, forward Rudy Gay was limited to just two in the second segment.

As for Jamal Murray, he wasn’t exactly dynamic, as his 17 points came on 8-of-24 shooting. But he plays with more fiery passion than any Nugget since Kenyon Martin. He will be back after his Game 1 collapse, mark my words. The Spurs have not seen the last of him.

The bottom line: Smile, Nuggets fans. Even a slightly better shooting performance nets Denver the win. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and the defense were positive takeaways. Look for Jamal Murray to crash the scene in Game 2, cape and all.

The Mile High squad will still win this series in seven games — even if the world doesn’t believe in them yet.