Nikola Jokic – A+
This game ended where the match started. Boston has no answer for Jokić, who bullied the Celtics for four quarters in Denver. The two best teams in the league faced each other for the second time this season and the reigning champions came out on top once again, thanks to the best player in the world.
Jokić was 32-12-11 with two steals and no turnovers. He shot 58% from the field. Kristaps Porzingis was simply too small. Jokić sent him flying with a shoulder before diving for his first points of the match. He backed it up deep under the basket before scoring his final points of the game. There were several variations of this result in the minutes that followed.
There is nothing the smaller players can do to stop Jokić from getting where he wants in the final moments of the match – nothing other than fouling and sending in help, which is so risky against the Nuggets. Sharpshooters space the floor and Aaron Gordon lurks behind the action, waiting to hit from the dunker point. This was a central theme when the Nuggets closed out the Celtics. They hit the last nail with their signature, the “Finale-Oop”.
Aaron Gordon-B+
Gordon’s supernatural gifts proved crucial to victory. He flew for alley-oops, turned away a late miss and slipped behind a generally cohesive defense. He didn’t just put up a highlights trailer. He showed why Denver is so difficult to match — even for the league’s most deep roster.
Jamal Murray – C+
Murray lit it up the last time these teams played, but he wasn’t the one who made the story in this victory. He left his mark on some crucial moments and recorded eight assists. Yet he also turned the ball over five times, including three in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t a great night of filming either. He was just good enough.
Michael Porter Jr. – D
Porter scored just nine points, missed most of his three-pointers and fell asleep on defense several times. He wasn’t good. Fortunately, the Nuggets also had an off night from Derrick White.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – B
Pope led all players with three interceptions, all of which came when the lead was five points or less. He missed a few open threes – every Nugget shot poorly from deep – but the Nuggets won on plays like these. The man they call “First Team” strikes again.
Reggie Jackson – C-
Jackson’s minutes didn’t improve against the Celtics. The headlines: He shot 2/7 from the floor and only played eleven minutes. But the Nuggets survived. The second unit intervened.
Christian Braun – B
Braun played quality minutes off the bench in Denver. He grabbed six boards, several of which flew off the screen. I’m a broken record on CB right now – these kinds of games are how he makes his money. Sure, Jaylen Brown gave Braun a few buckets, but he had way more for the rest of the Nuggets. The bottom line is that Braun and the bench did their job.
Peyton Watson-A
Peyton Watson almost dominated Jayson Tatum. He wreaked havoc defensively off the bench, as evidenced by his steal and two blocks in about 17 minutes. He blocked each of Boston’s stars on their way to the rim. The second block, on Jaylen Brown, was violent. Watson launched himself into the air with virtually no regard for his well-being. He got what he wanted before falling on Jokić’s head. Everyone seemed fine once the dust settled. Number 8 is crazy.
Watson also shot 5/9 from the floor. The short mid-range jumper emerges as his offensive choice. He is confident in this shot. He stood out for Denver in the biggest game of the season.
Justin Holiday – C+
Justin Holiday played 13 minutes in the victory. I don’t have many notes on his performance, but his skillset provides intriguing versatility for Michael Malone. Holiday is making a late push to be considered in the playoff rotation.
Zeké Nnaji – B-
Zeke played eight minutes against the Celtics. He contributed four points, two rebounds and a steal. He didn’t turn the ball over. Its highlight was an impressive defensive sequence on an island with Tatum. I enjoyed every second of it. Every player on the second unit finished with a positive +/- in a potential Finals preview. Go figure.
