[The Epoch Times, April 30, 2023](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporter Wang Yezhi) On April 29, local time, the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs took the lead. The Phoenix Suns made a “good start” in the series, leading 1-0 with a total score. The second battle between the two sides will continue in Denver.
In the regular season, Jokic led the Nuggets to a record of 53 wins and 29 losses, and came from behind to win the first place in the Western Conference. At the end of the season, the Suns formed the “Big Four” after acquiring Durant through a trade with the Nets. With a record of 45 wins and 37 losses, they ranked fifth in the Western Conference and advanced to the playoffs.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Nuggets had a clear advantage against the No. 8 Timberwolves in the West, and easily eliminated their opponents 4-1 to advance. The Suns played against the Clippers, who are ranked sixth in the West. Due to the injury and retirement of Leonard and Paul George, it had a huge impact on the Clippers. After losing the first game, the Suns won four games in a row. Although the Clippers were eliminated 4-1, it was very difficult for the Suns to win against the Clippers led by “Westbrook” during the game. People’s attitudes have changed, and the Suns are no longer as favored as they used to be.
In the past two seasons, Jokic won the regular season MVP in a row. This season, he once ranked first on the official website’s MVP list for 10 consecutive periods. He is generally optimistic that he may become another player who won the MVP three consecutive times after “Big Bird” Bird. However, Jokic’s frequent rotations at the end of the regular season made it possible for the 76ers’ Embiid to successfully counterattack. Judging from the current situation, Embiid has a very high probability of winning the MVP for the first time.
The Nuggets and the Suns met in the Western Conference semifinals. At the beginning of the game, Durant took the lead. In a single quarter, he made 7 of 9 shots and scored 15 points, plus 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. Jokic scored 4 of 9 and contributed 9 points and 8 rebounds in a single quarter, including 4 offensive rebounds. At the end of the first quarter, the Suns led by 1 point at 32:31.
In the second quarter, the Nuggets hit a climax of 37:19, winning the opponent’s offense by 18 points in a single quarter, overtaking the score in one fell swoop, and gaining a 17-point advantage with 68:51. Jokic scored 1 of 5 in the second quarter and was restricted on the offensive end, but he grabbed 6 rebounds again and continued to play the role of a rebounding “monster”. Durant scored 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in the first half. Due to too few scoring points, the Suns cannot beat the No. 1 in the West if they want to rely on Durant alone.
In the second half, the Suns launched a tenacious counterattack. Paul stood up and led the Suns to a 10:4 spurt at the beginning. The Nuggets responded with a wave of 11:5 to stabilize the situation. After that, the two teams entered a tug-of-war. At the end of the third quarter, the Suns still trailed their opponents by 13 points 81:94.
In the fourth quarter, Murray scored three-pointers in a row, Jokic took over the basket, and the Nuggets extended their lead to 20+. With 5 minutes and 09 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Suns paused, replaced all the main players in advance, and surrendered directly. In the end, the Nuggets defeated the Suns 125:107 at home and won a “good start” in the seven-match four-win series.
In this campaign, Murray scored a team-high 34 points for the Nuggets. In the final quarter, he scored 8 points in a row, completely ending the suspense of the game. In addition, Jokic scored 24 points, 19 rebounds and 5 assists, Gordon scored 23 points and 6 rebounds; six Nuggets scored in double figures. As for the Suns, Durant made 12 of 19 shots, scored 29 points and 14 rebounds, plus 7 turnovers; Booker scored 27 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists; Paul contributed 11 points and 5 assists; 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Responsible editor: Zheng Huang#
2023-05-01 00:58:04
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