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No one dares to ask who the Denver Nuggets are. One word: Champion. The job is done, as Jokic said. But you always have to get back to work the next day, and that's the situation with the Denver Nuggets. Despite the Clippers' season, the favorites are them.
They didn't weaken during free agency; Jokic is still Jokic, and Jamal Murray became an All-Star. Without a significant injury this season, they have been one of the most consistent teams; logically, they find themselves here.
After an excellent overall performance with a sweep against the injury-decimated Warriors, the champions must eliminate the Kings. The two teams are built in different ways, but many similarities exist.
A common dominant axis consists of a point guard that revolves around a point center but with their particularities. No one would like to fight against their mirror; that's the current situation.
The Jokic duel against Herrera boosted the show's ratings. Among the semi-finals, it is the least popular but a duel of the duos that keeps all its promises. De'Aaron and Hector are not here to do extras, and the NBA got the message; unfortunately, Denver is the recipient.
After two wins by the Nuggets in Colorado, the Kings responded best with two wins at the Golden 1 Center. Game 4 was won 124-107 by the Kings, with Fox's 38 points and Hector's 32 being the best example.
But today, we are in Mile High City. Game 5 is often a pivotal game that can decide the winner of a playoff series.
Jamal Murray and De'Aaron scored the first two points for each team. Hector makes an alley-oop dunk after a pick'n'roll with Fox, for Hector playing Jokic takes work. If Hector's steal statistics are so unusual and excessive, part of that goes to the big men who don't know how to handle the ball well.
But for now, Hector attacks close to the rim and makes a dunk. Jokic started his game quietly at the free throw line. 2 of 2. Hector continues to provoke Jokic with an offensive posture. That's the strategy today, and he makes a layup taking advantage of his speed advantage.
But now, the champions are the champions. Jokic, still on the free throw line, begins to activate, but Jamal Murray will quickly turn the machine—an assist for KCP, who manages to provoke a crowd in passing and another for Jokic.
Huerter scored his first points, but Murray gave Porter an assist this time. Jokic is not rushing to move but is on the free-throw line and does not miss. He activated distributor mode with Murray and then Porter giving up 2 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Hector did not move away from the elbows and managed a jump shot, but the Nuggets led 15-24.
Hector retaliated with a stepback and got a bonus because Murray fouled. Jokic makes an assist to Reggie Jackson, but Hector throws a 3-pointer. The Nuggets didn't let that be fooled, and Jokic assisted Murray for a 3' run that hurt the Kings.
Reggie Jackson added points, and Hector assisted Vezenkov. The first quarter ended with a feast of missed shots, and the Nuggets were ahead of the Kings by 5 points. The rest will only be more exciting. Hector and Jokic are no longer on the court, the score will change, and the Kings will tie at some end. The Nuggets are only three points ahead when Hector is back in the game. Malik Monk will allow himself to dunk on DeAndre Jordan.
De'Aaron will accelerate with a driving floating jump shot and then an assist to Hector on a pick and bland. Jokic serves KCP 3-pointer. Vezenkov also scored a driving floater, but KCP again shot 3-pointers. As a high-level 3rd, he does damage at the right time.
Huerter and Fox will calm the Nuggets with two dunks, but Jokic will chain his famous "Sombor Shuffle" then an assist to Porter's 3-pointer. Huerter, who had a good game, concluded with a layup and two free throws that put the Kings ahead of Denver 57-56 and couldn't get a winner.