Recap: Denver Nuggets are your worst enemy until the second final, losing 110-112 to the Washington Wizards.

The Denver Nuggets hoped to make a comeback against a Washington Wizards team that defeated them just a week ago in the closing stages, but it was not meant to be. Despite the great performances of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr; The very ineptitude of Bradley Beal, Russel Westbrook and Denver proved to be too much. 10 offensive rebounds dropped, 18 turnovers committed and a terribly bad ending afterwards and the Nuggets once again lost to Washington. Assistants take 112-110.

The attack was few and far between to start the game. The Nuggets were unable to buy a basket, but neither were they able to win the Wizards and they combined for four points in the first two minutes. Jokic took the attack after that, scoring Denver’s first seven points, while Beal scored for Washington. Denver must have missed 5 layups to open the game, but in the middle of the first one they still had a point of advantage. They were a little sloppy with the ball after that and Washington took the lead. Rui Hachimura tied some baskets and the Wizards’ leadership grew. Denver stopped the bleeding, but failed to close the gap. After a quarter, the Nuggets had seven losses and lost by four points.

The attack had difficulties opening the second half as well as the first, two minutes later the Nuggets lost by nine. It was still difficult to go sledding and also many hits in the jump pitches as the room progressed. The Nuggets ‘defense was solid, so the Wizards’ leadership didn’t grow. Eventually, they found a little rhythm and started to cut the lead, but strangely Jokic was also not really involved in the attack. Washington’s attack had completely disappeared, so the leadership continued to decline. Almost on time, the Joker started catching the basketball and making shots. With his attention on him, he hit Facu Campazzo in the corner for an open three that gave Denver back the lead. The teams went and came back to close the semester with Washington rising by two in the end.

The Nuggets returned to focus on attacking the basket to open the second half, but also lost part of the defensive focus. Denver kept things tight, but kept shooting himself in the foot, which prevented them from taking the lead again. MPJ warmed up in the middle of the quarter, keeping Denver close, but then they started to unravel a little, which allowed the Wizards to return at seven and force Michael Malone to time out. Finally, the Nuggets started doing a few trios, led by Jokić naturally, and came back in two, but like clockwork they turned and gave up on a tray on the other side. Denver wasn’t giving up, they kept pushing back with the three ball and keeping the Wizards in a bucket or two. Jokic found Zeke Nnaji with a great move in the last minute of the quarter to finally put Denver back in the lead. After three, everyone was tied at 88.

Murray was aggressive to start the room and managed two quick buckets to put Denver in front again. The Nuggets kept the lead after that, but the Wizards would not be leaving either. Murray, Porter and Jokic carried the load, in the middle of the quarter they still had a two point advantage. The lead should have double digits, but the Nuggets just couldn’t stop making small mistakes. Porter grabbing a rebound but not holding it tight and being stripped by Westbrook was an excellent example that put the Wizards back in front. It was clear that the game was going to get complicated. Washington continued to have second chance opportunities and converts, which gave them a four point lead two minutes from the end. The Nuggets arrived within two with 30 seconds remaining and took the ball for final possession. Murray inexplicably stopped a counterattack on the three-point line, seemed to lose himself for a second and launched a late pass to Facu, who missed the three on the buzzer. Nuggets lose 112-110.