SUMMARY
- Michael Malone discussed the pressure on the Nuggets after falling into an 0-2 deficit to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Malone believes that his team will have to remain focused on the upcoming Game 3 instead of losing themselves while pondering over the big picture.
Things are clearly not going well for the Denver Nuggets. Despite defeating the Los Angeles Lakers within 5 games and advancing through the first round of the NBA playoffs, the team is now in a 0-2 deficit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Given that the Nuggets had a homecourt advantage for the first two games, they are now tasked with heading into Minnesota for Game 3 with the hopes of avoiding a 3-0 situation.
Given that the Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions, a lot of pressure has been placed on the team to make the Finals once again. Head coach Michael Malone was recently interviewed and asked about the team’s mindset and focus heading into Game 3. Since losing game 3 will all but guarantee their elimination in the second round, one might want to know more on what Malone had to say.
Michael Malone brings back attention to the Denver Nuggets’ 2020 postseason
It is always a daunting task when a team falls down 0-2 and is in a 3-1 deficit after the first 4 games of the playoffs. Although the Nuggets have been successful in recent times, the team has been in a similar situation in the past. After all, they were in a 3-1 deficit twice during the 2020 playoffs but managed to overcome both situations and advance to the next round.
Malone recalled the accomplishments of his team in the past as well as the history of teams orchestrating comebacks and winning their series when asked about the current mindset of the Nuggets.
“33 teams have come back from 0-2 deficits. I think 5 or 6 teams have done that after losing the first 2 at home. Reggie Jackson was a part of one of those. So as I told the players, is it possible? Yes, history tells us it’s possible. But you have to participate in your own recovery. Just because it’s been done before doesn’t mean we’re going to do it. Only if we have the requisite mindset…
Michael Malone: “33 teams have come back from 0-2. Five or six teams have done that after losing the first two at home.”
“We were down twice in the bubble 3-1.” pic.twitter.com/s5Wt6opRA1
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) May 8, 2024
Malone continued, “My main focus is how do we win Game 3. Because if you’re worried about winning 4 more games no no. Win Game 3. We were down twice in the bubble 3-1. We never said we have to win 4 in a row. It was let’s win Game 5, let’s win Game 6 and then worry about Game 7.”
The Denver Nuggets head coach certainly has a good point. The weight of the overall series would undoubtedly put pressure on the team as opposed to merely focusing on the task at hand. While Malone believes that his team will be able to make a comeback once again, there is no denying that they have an uphill challenge after having given up both homecourt games.
Should fans expect the Nuggets to win 2 games on the road?
The Nuggets entered the playoffs as the defending champions. Multiple NBA experts predicted that they would defeat any team that stood in their path and would make the NBA Finals once again. Since Denver was unable to win a single game at home, the emotions and thoughts in their locker room is simply beyond the imagination of an ordinary fan.