Although Nikola Jokic put forward strong numbers in Game 6 of the first-round series in the Western Conference, Nikola Jokic was very guarded. Still, Denver coach David Adelman thought last night's presidency was really poor because his star big man deserves better protection from the referee.
After the game, the series tied 3-3, with the Nuggets tacticians firmly believing how the three-time MVP should be better and summoned officials after losing to Los Angeles on Thursday. He went far and called the referee performance “absolutely crazy.”
“Nicholas often fouled. I'm not sure what happened tonight, but to get him to take two free throws, a contact that happened there was absolutely crazy. They put the little guy on him,” Adelman explained.
The Denver coach then added: “Those little guys are allowed to do whatever they want, so I'm very excited about Saturday and we'll be able to do the same with their best players because if that's the body we allow us to play, we'll react to that and we'll go there in Game 7.”
Even though getting free throws would improve the Serbian's statistics, he still managed to produce an influential display. Nikola led the Nuggets with 25 points and added eight assists and seven rebounds to last night's defeat.
“I think our guys just stick with it,” said Coach Tyronn Lue after the game. “(They) aren't going to be deflated, we do a great job. … I told the guys after the game that it's everything about being a team and winning. These guys totally understand that.”
Now, Denver will have to defy its history as they haven't conquered seven games in five years. “They're faster,” Jamal Murray said. “They're more desperate because their backs are leaning against the wall and you have to give them honors. The whole game, they bring it.”
