The volume. No, Oh my god, how could he do that? Watch what Charles Darwin?

The volume. No, Oh my god, how could he do that? Watch what Charles Darwin?

The nerves is where it's at.

The nerves is where it's at.

Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash As always, I'm Carson brev and alongside me is Logan Camden, and you already know the drill. We've got one incredible playoff basketball game to talk about today in what has been an absolute peak series, my favorite series of the playoffs so far, Logan honestly pretty comfortably. It's just been incredible. And after tonight's result, we are headed for a Game seven between the Nuggets and the Thunder. We'll talk about what to expect in what our predictions are for that game seven later, First we have to talk about how the Nuggets pulled out this win. Logan back's against the wall, down three to two, Jamal Murray questionable to even play in this game with an illness.

Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash As always, I'm Carson brev and alongside me is Logan Camden, and you already know the drill. We've got one incredible playoff basketball game to talk about today in what has been an absolute peak series, my favorite series of the playoffs so far, Logan honestly pretty comfortably. It's just been incredible. And after tonight's result, we are headed for a Game seven between the Nuggets and the Thunder. We'll talk about what to expect in what our predictions are for that game seven later, First we have to talk about how the Nuggets pulled out this win. Logan back's against the wall, down three to two, Jamal Murray questionable to even play in this game with an illness.

He ends up coming in huge.

He ends up coming in huge.

What did you make of Denver's performance and how they got this done?

What did you make of Denver's performance and how they got this done?

The first guy I want to give props to is Julian Strowther. I mean, I thought he completely sunned this game when he came in in the third quarter. And we've been talking about it all series long, Carson. We talked about it even last episode. We kind of brought up his name jokingly as like a guy in that archetype that could step up and make some shots.

The first guy I want to give props to is Julian Strowther. I mean, I thought he completely sunned this game when he came in in the third quarter. And we've been talking about it all series long, Carson. We talked about it even last episode. We kind of brought up his name jokingly as like a guy in that archetype that could step up and make some shots.

But he came through huge in this game. I mean, he.

But he came through huge in this game. I mean, he.

Powers a ten to zero run at the end of the third quarter that really put Denver in pole position to pull away and win this game. It wasn't the cleanest execution to close out in the fourth quarter, but they do come away with it, and I thought that was the really key stretch in this basketball game.

Powers a ten to zero run at the end of the third quarter that really put Denver in pole position to pull away and win this game. It wasn't the cleanest execution to close out in the fourth quarter, but they do come away with it, and I thought that was the really key stretch in this basketball game.

The other guys that I.

The other guys that I.

Think deserve a lot of credit for Denver is Jokic. I think Jokic really dealt with the coverages well tonight and really picked his spots throughout most of this game. I was concerned with the level of aggression that we had gotten out of Jokic. I wanted him to be more aggressive, and it's like, right as I felt that, and I felt like they were teetering on the point of he's not doing enough, Jokic really clicked into gear and so I thought he picked his spots well and was aggressive when he needed to. But I also just thought he play made and protected the ball better than he has in most of this series. Christian Brown had a massive first quarter, and I thought that the Nuggets did a really good job of turning defense into offense in that first half, and I thought Jamal Murray had a really good game and they played really well defensively. These teams are so close, Carson, I didn't feel like the margin was that big in this game. I really felt like it was decided by a few stretches in this basketball game. And Denver got out to this big lead in the first quarter, and then we got some disastrous Russell Westbrook minutes into the second quarter that tanked it, and then Strawther gives them that big surge in the third quarter that gets them to pull away. It really feels like the difference in all of these games, Carson, one could be one stretch of basketball or who executed better in the clutch, and I thought in this one, it was that stretch in the third quarter, in that surge by Strother, and I thought that Oklahoma City did act or excuse me, Denver did execute better down the stretch. And this was a really disappointing game from Oklahoma City supporting cast and their surrounding shooting, but.

Think deserve a lot of credit for Denver is Jokic. I think Jokic really dealt with the coverages well tonight and really picked his spots throughout most of this game. I was concerned with the level of aggression that we had gotten out of Jokic. I wanted him to be more aggressive, and it's like, right as I felt that, and I felt like they were teetering on the point of he's not doing enough, Jokic really clicked into gear and so I thought he picked his spots well and was aggressive when he needed to. But I also just thought he play made and protected the ball better than he has in most of this series. Christian Brown had a massive first quarter, and I thought that the Nuggets did a really good job of turning defense into offense in that first half, and I thought Jamal Murray had a really good game and they played really well defensively. These teams are so close, Carson, I didn't feel like the margin was that big in this game. I really felt like it was decided by a few stretches in this basketball game. And Denver got out to this big lead in the first quarter, and then we got some disastrous Russell Westbrook minutes into the second quarter that tanked it, and then Strawther gives them that big surge in the third quarter that gets them to pull away. It really feels like the difference in all of these games, Carson, one could be one stretch of basketball or who executed better in the clutch, and I thought in this one, it was that stretch in the third quarter, in that surge by Strother, and I thought that Oklahoma City did act or excuse me, Denver did execute better down the stretch. And this was a really disappointing game from Oklahoma City supporting cast and their surrounding shooting, but.

Shout out Denver. They didn't lose on the home floor, and we are getting Game seven. Man, I am so excited.

Shout out Denver. They didn't lose on the home floor, and we are getting Game seven. Man, I am so excited.

I'm so excited too.

I'm so excited too.

I think that this is just gonna be the creamiest Game seven that we've maybe ever seen.

I think that this is just gonna be the creamiest Game seven that we've maybe ever seen.

Ao.

Ao.

Yeah, I said it, I meant it. I said it on purpose. I agree.

Yeah, I said it, I meant it. I said it on purpose. I agree.

Of six games in this series have been absolute bangers, and the best part Logan Sga and Jokic, both of whom who were seeing some extremely aggressive, difficult coverages, have been all series, but we're struggling with it earlier. Now they have both really found their rhythm. I think they've both gotten significantly more comfortable. They know how to attack these respective defenses. I think that they've both just been phenomenal in these last two games, and I do think we're going to get two more stellar performances out of them in Game seven. So it very well may come more down to what do you get from the surrounding pieces, And in this one, it was Denver supporting cast who stepped up and played better. Julian Strawther absolutely massive to be able to get those minutes out of him, Like this is a guy who has been on the fringes of the rotation to come in confidently, knocked down two threes to make a really smart cut, and then even into the fourth quarter, he was giving you production. He hits the three that like effectively ices this game so so massive, because not only are you getting that production out of a guy who you weren't expecting it from, now you're allowing Nikol Jokic to rest. Because I saw some stat going around, I think the last four games in which Jokic had played the entirety of the fourth quarter for the nugg in the playoffs, they had lost because normally the two periods when he rests in a game are early in the second quarter, early in the fourth quarter, But when it gets to do or die time, they'll play him forty five minutes, and that means that he will play the entire second half because Denver doesn't trust more than seven guys generously on this entire roster. They won the non Jokic minutes tonight, and Julian Strauther is a huge component of why that was possible. They went plus three, specifically in that four minute stretch to start the fourth quarter with Yokich off. We're in the last two games they had slipped in the fourth quarter, that's when Okac had taken control of the game, and instead they solidify their lead without Jokic. By the way, I just want to give props for like what they have done with Jokic off the floor throughout this series, because I continue to think, like, game after game, oh, that's where Okayc's gonna have an advantage in the non superstar minutes. They're gonna bludgeon them in the non Jokic minutes, and like it's been pretty rare that that's the case. They are minus thirteen with Yokic off the floor, They're minus nineteen with Yoki on the floor. Obviously in a lot more minutes with Jokic out there, but you have to feel good about only being minus two points per game in the non Jokic minutes considering who you're going up against. The team that has been so dominant, has been so successful even with Shay off the floor throughout this season. Their ability to play those minutes close to a draw has been really pivotal to keeping them in a lot of these games and allowing them to have this at an even series right now. And the guy who I think deserves a lot of credit for that is Jamal Murray as well, who I understand frustrations with his inconsistency, but he has had some massive performances in these playoffs and I don't think overall you can be disappointed with the level that he's played at. He's giving you twenty two and a half points per game on better than fifty six percent true shooting, and this was a masterclass out of him. Like I thought that for most of the game, he was certainly their best scorer, and he was finishing well at the rim. His shot making was phenomenal, he was assertive, he was really really big in that first quarter. I thought that he gave them just what they need. And it's just in such dramatic contrast to what OKC gets out of Jada, who was a complete disaster. But to have the better offensive number two is a big advantage. And then it was the collective supporting cast for Denver two.

Of six games in this series have been absolute bangers, and the best part Logan Sga and Jokic, both of whom who were seeing some extremely aggressive, difficult coverages, have been all series, but we're struggling with it earlier. Now they have both really found their rhythm. I think they've both gotten significantly more comfortable. They know how to attack these respective defenses. I think that they've both just been phenomenal in these last two games, and I do think we're going to get two more stellar performances out of them in Game seven. So it very well may come more down to what do you get from the surrounding pieces, And in this one, it was Denver supporting cast who stepped up and played better. Julian Strawther absolutely massive to be able to get those minutes out of him, Like this is a guy who has been on the fringes of the rotation to come in confidently, knocked down two threes to make a really smart cut, and then even into the fourth quarter, he was giving you production. He hits the three that like effectively ices this game so so massive, because not only are you getting that production out of a guy who you weren't expecting it from, now you're allowing Nikol Jokic to rest. Because I saw some stat going around, I think the last four games in which Jokic had played the entirety of the fourth quarter for the nugg in the playoffs, they had lost because normally the two periods when he rests in a game are early in the second quarter, early in the fourth quarter, But when it gets to do or die time, they'll play him forty five minutes, and that means that he will play the entire second half because Denver doesn't trust more than seven guys generously on this entire roster. They won the non Jokic minutes tonight, and Julian Strauther is a huge component of why that was possible. They went plus three, specifically in that four minute stretch to start the fourth quarter with Yokich off. We're in the last two games they had slipped in the fourth quarter, that's when Okac had taken control of the game, and instead they solidify their lead without Jokic. By the way, I just want to give props for like what they have done with Jokic off the floor throughout this series, because I continue to think, like, game after game, oh, that's where Okayc's gonna have an advantage in the non superstar minutes. They're gonna bludgeon them in the non Jokic minutes, and like it's been pretty rare that that's the case. They are minus thirteen with Yokic off the floor, They're minus nineteen with Yoki on the floor. Obviously in a lot more minutes with Jokic out there, but you have to feel good about only being minus two points per game in the non Jokic minutes considering who you're going up against. The team that has been so dominant, has been so successful even with Shay off the floor throughout this season. Their ability to play those minutes close to a draw has been really pivotal to keeping them in a lot of these games and allowing them to have this at an even series right now. And the guy who I think deserves a lot of credit for that is Jamal Murray as well, who I understand frustrations with his inconsistency, but he has had some massive performances in these playoffs and I don't think overall you can be disappointed with the level that he's played at. He's giving you twenty two and a half points per game on better than fifty six percent true shooting, and this was a masterclass out of him. Like I thought that for most of the game, he was certainly their best scorer, and he was finishing well at the rim. His shot making was phenomenal, he was assertive, he was really really big in that first quarter. I thought that he gave them just what they need. And it's just in such dramatic contrast to what OKC gets out of Jada, who was a complete disaster. But to have the better offensive number two is a big advantage. And then it was the collective supporting cast for Denver two.

Christian Brown.

Christian Brown.

As you mentioned, this is a guy who was shooting eight of thirty one from three in this series. Coming into this game, he was under twenty six percent. The thunder were more than happy to let him shoot six eight open threes in a game because they knew that he was going to make a low percentage of them. He makes a high percentage of them in this one. And then he's also impacting the game as a cutter. He's active on the glass, he makes some nice reads, he forces some steals. He was just all over the floor in this game. So it's a really really good win for Denver. Absolutely, and Yokic was excellent, Like this wasn't last game where you're just like, oh my god, this dude is playing one of the best basketball games I've ever seen from a person. But he was really in control, and I think that's the keyword. Through the first four games of this series. Really, in games two through four, we saw him flustered more by this defense. We saw him more frustrated with the physicality, we saw him turning the ball over more. This one, it was just like, I'm gonna take what you give me. You're doubling from the baseline, perfect, I'm gonna find a cutter and I'm going to create for my teammates consistently. I have a mismatch Briefly, I'm allowed to work in single coverage for one possession. Great, I'm going to get to my touch shots and those have been automatic for him as of late. You give me a little airspace to pull from three, great, I'll do it. I have an opportunity to get to the line, great, I'll do that. But super efficient takes care of the basketball twenty nine to fourteen and eight, and he had some really good defensive moments, really good performance from him on the OKC side, Logan, Where did things go wrong for them to not close this game out?

As you mentioned, this is a guy who was shooting eight of thirty one from three in this series. Coming into this game, he was under twenty six percent. The thunder were more than happy to let him shoot six eight open threes in a game because they knew that he was going to make a low percentage of them. He makes a high percentage of them in this one. And then he's also impacting the game as a cutter. He's active on the glass, he makes some nice reads, he forces some steals. He was just all over the floor in this game. So it's a really really good win for Denver. Absolutely, and Yokic was excellent, Like this wasn't last game where you're just like, oh my god, this dude is playing one of the best basketball games I've ever seen from a person. But he was really in control, and I think that's the keyword. Through the first four games of this series. Really, in games two through four, we saw him flustered more by this defense. We saw him more frustrated with the physicality, we saw him turning the ball over more. This one, it was just like, I'm gonna take what you give me. You're doubling from the baseline, perfect, I'm gonna find a cutter and I'm going to create for my teammates consistently. I have a mismatch Briefly, I'm allowed to work in single coverage for one possession. Great, I'm going to get to my touch shots and those have been automatic for him as of late. You give me a little airspace to pull from three, great, I'll do it. I have an opportunity to get to the line, great, I'll do that. But super efficient takes care of the basketball twenty nine to fourteen and eight, and he had some really good defensive moments, really good performance from him on the OKC side, Logan, Where did things go wrong for them to not close this game out?

I thought the shooting was a huge problem in this game, especially in the second half, and like you mentioned, just Jada at a point in this game, they missed thirteen straight field goals. Jada really couldn't get anything going tonight. He goes three of sixteen from the field, four from deep. And it's disappointing because I thought Shape played a really really phenomenal basketball game. Like I thought he was great.

I thought the shooting was a huge problem in this game, especially in the second half, and like you mentioned, just Jada at a point in this game, they missed thirteen straight field goals. Jada really couldn't get anything going tonight. He goes three of sixteen from the field, four from deep. And it's disappointing because I thought Shape played a really really phenomenal basketball game. Like I thought he was great.

In this one. I think that.

In this one. I think that.

I thought that he's just gotten better throughout this series. And I think we're in for a war in Game seven, and it could just come down to whose supporting cast plays better. Carson, the margins between both of these teams are so close, man, I come away. It's like anytime a team gets a ten point lead. Anytime nothing feels safe, it doesn't feel like it's gonna get extended. It always feels like we're gonna rubber band back into place. Man Like, I don't really feel like either.

I thought that he's just gotten better throughout this series. And I think we're in for a war in Game seven, and it could just come down to whose supporting cast plays better. Carson, the margins between both of these teams are so close, man, I come away. It's like anytime a team gets a ten point lead. Anytime nothing feels safe, it doesn't feel like it's gonna get extended. It always feels like we're gonna rubber band back into place. Man Like, I don't really feel like either.

I'm not.

I'm not.

I know we're gonna talk about the prediction in a minute. I'm just not one hundred percent convinced either way. I think these teams are so evenly matched, like truly, but I thought shooting was a big issue for Oklahoma City tonight, and I think that led to some other issues for them. Specifically, I thought Denver did a really good job of getting out on the break and turning a lot of those missed opportun unities into points. On the other end, this was the best transition offense in basketball in the regular season in terms of points per game. And they got a lot of easy looks early in this game. And I do want to give a ton of credit to Jamal two Man for finishing through traffic for this team, just flying out and getting out on the breaks, getting those really easy opportunities. And last thing I wanted to mention on Denver, Dude, you talked about the non Jokic minutes, Carson, the fact they were able to buy him even more time to sit on the bench early in the fourth quarter. That's just such a huge X factor for them. Man Yo Kic is never fresh laid in these basketball games, and it's just huge that you can afford him any extra time to get some But it really, to me comes down to the supporting cast, and I think they've I think, okay, these defense has.

I know we're gonna talk about the prediction in a minute. I'm just not one hundred percent convinced either way. I think these teams are so evenly matched, like truly, but I thought shooting was a big issue for Oklahoma City tonight, and I think that led to some other issues for them. Specifically, I thought Denver did a really good job of getting out on the break and turning a lot of those missed opportun unities into points. On the other end, this was the best transition offense in basketball in the regular season in terms of points per game. And they got a lot of easy looks early in this game. And I do want to give a ton of credit to Jamal two Man for finishing through traffic for this team, just flying out and getting out on the breaks, getting those really easy opportunities. And last thing I wanted to mention on Denver, Dude, you talked about the non Jokic minutes, Carson, the fact they were able to buy him even more time to sit on the bench early in the fourth quarter. That's just such a huge X factor for them. Man Yo Kic is never fresh laid in these basketball games, and it's just huge that you can afford him any extra time to get some But it really, to me comes down to the supporting cast, and I think they've I think, okay, these defense has.

To be a little more disciplined.

To be a little more disciplined.

I was a little bit disappointed with them just in terms of rotation.

I was a little bit disappointed with them just in terms of rotation.

I didn't think they were as crisp.

I didn't think they were as crisp.

They go on that surge at the end, which was impressive, but I thought that was more sloppy Denver play then Oklahoma City really truly being disruptive.

They go on that surge at the end, which was impressive, but I thought that was more sloppy Denver play then Oklahoma City really truly being disruptive.

But to me, it comes down to the supporting cast pulling their weight on offense.

But to me, it comes down to the supporting cast pulling their weight on offense.

Man SGA did his thing like you expect him to, and they're just clanging all kinds of th reason. It's like SGA, I feel really similar in this game to how I felt about SGA throughout the Dallas series, that he was making good decisions, he was setting his team up for teammates up for good looks and they just didn't capitalize on them. And sometimes games are really gonna be determined by something as simple as that. So I don't know, man, it's so weird. I don't know who's supporting Cast. I trust more Man. Both of these teams feel so inconsistent. Like I feel like I trust Gordon and I trust Murray, But can I trust Jadub? Can I trust Chet?

Man SGA did his thing like you expect him to, and they're just clanging all kinds of th reason. It's like SGA, I feel really similar in this game to how I felt about SGA throughout the Dallas series, that he was making good decisions, he was setting his team up for teammates up for good looks and they just didn't capitalize on them. And sometimes games are really gonna be determined by something as simple as that. So I don't know, man, it's so weird. I don't know who's supporting Cast. I trust more Man. Both of these teams feel so inconsistent. Like I feel like I trust Gordon and I trust Murray, But can I trust Jadub? Can I trust Chet?

I don't know, man, I'm so up in the.

I don't know, man, I'm so up in the.

Air about what we're gonna get in this game seven. But I thought Oklahoma City supporting Cast really let them down in this one.

Air about what we're gonna get in this game seven. But I thought Oklahoma City supporting Cast really let them down in this one.

Yeah, it's just an absolute disaster from Jadub in every possible way off.

Yeah, it's just an absolute disaster from Jadub in every possible way off.

Dude, Like, I felt like that really encapsulated the whole night for him. Man, Like a wide open fast break jam late in this game, he can't even convert that miss.

Dude, Like, I felt like that really encapsulated the whole night for him. Man, Like a wide open fast break jam late in this game, he can't even convert that miss.

That one got blocked by Peyton Watson on what was maybe the biggest swing play of the game. And that's where we can talk about Strawther and he was certainly the better contributor overall, but that one play from Peyton Watson that would have cut it to a five point Denver lead, and instead that turns into a transition layup for Denver and then Russell Westbrook is able to put it back in. So now the lead goes back up to nine. That was huge, and then Caruso smoked a layup on the other end that was a costly little stretch for oksee right there, but it was terrible what Jada gave you tonight. And by the way, he's shooting ten of forty three over the last three games. It's just completely inexcusable stuff from him. And this can be the concern.

That one got blocked by Peyton Watson on what was maybe the biggest swing play of the game. And that's where we can talk about Strawther and he was certainly the better contributor overall, but that one play from Peyton Watson that would have cut it to a five point Denver lead, and instead that turns into a transition layup for Denver and then Russell Westbrook is able to put it back in. So now the lead goes back up to nine. That was huge, and then Caruso smoked a layup on the other end that was a costly little stretch for oksee right there, but it was terrible what Jada gave you tonight. And by the way, he's shooting ten of forty three over the last three games. It's just completely inexcusable stuff from him. And this can be the concern.

He is not.

He is not.

Somebody who creates a lot of easy offense for himself. He is not a high end advantage creator, and so he can live on sort of a tough intermediate shot making diet. At times he can be maybe overly aggressive and just forcing the issue downhill, and then he's not super great playing through contact, and so you just end up with a lot of shots that are like kind of in and around the paint from him, but you don't like most of them. And then also, he just couldn't hit a three, and he's shooting twenty five percent from deep in these playoffs. That's the one thing that has consistently been offer him because he was phenomenal against Memphis, but even in that series, he wasn't hitting the three and really hasn't been throughout the playoffs, So outside of his masterclass in game three, which was so impressive, like OKC won the last couple games.

Somebody who creates a lot of easy offense for himself. He is not a high end advantage creator, and so he can live on sort of a tough intermediate shot making diet. At times he can be maybe overly aggressive and just forcing the issue downhill, and then he's not super great playing through contact, and so you just end up with a lot of shots that are like kind of in and around the paint from him, but you don't like most of them. And then also, he just couldn't hit a three, and he's shooting twenty five percent from deep in these playoffs. That's the one thing that has consistently been offer him because he was phenomenal against Memphis, but even in that series, he wasn't hitting the three and really hasn't been throughout the playoffs, So outside of his masterclass in game three, which was so impressive, like OKC won the last couple games.

Kind of in spite of Jadub and this.

Kind of in spite of Jadub and this.

Game they were not able to win largely because he was so bad. So he is probably the single biggest guy who you look at for Game seven and you say, you just have to be way better. But also the three point shooting collectively from OKC was really bad. Lou Dort was way off in this game. I thought that Chet was great inside the arc. I thought that he had some great drives. I thought that he was good finishing off of cuts in the dunker spot, good on the glass, but still didn't look comfortable shooting from deep. Aaron Wiggins isn't able to hit a three in this game, so they end up going eleven of forty from beyond the arc. That really cost him in this game, because, like you said, Man, I thought that Shay was just fantastic. I thought that Shay was at least the co best player on the floor with Jolkic. I mean, he got whatever he wanted in this game, and he too has adjusted and he has found his opportunities to be extremely aggressive whenever he sees single coverage. Whenever he can clear aside, he is getting a bucket. He is going right at you, and he is creating separation and gonna knock down one of his short range jumpers, which have just been automatic now. But his finishing at the rim was also phenomenal. He's just gotten so good at quickly attacking this defense in semi transition or early in the possession before they can build the wall and really.

Game they were not able to win largely because he was so bad. So he is probably the single biggest guy who you look at for Game seven and you say, you just have to be way better. But also the three point shooting collectively from OKC was really bad. Lou Dort was way off in this game. I thought that Chet was great inside the arc. I thought that he had some great drives. I thought that he was good finishing off of cuts in the dunker spot, good on the glass, but still didn't look comfortable shooting from deep. Aaron Wiggins isn't able to hit a three in this game, so they end up going eleven of forty from beyond the arc. That really cost him in this game, because, like you said, Man, I thought that Shay was just fantastic. I thought that Shay was at least the co best player on the floor with Jolkic. I mean, he got whatever he wanted in this game, and he too has adjusted and he has found his opportunities to be extremely aggressive whenever he sees single coverage. Whenever he can clear aside, he is getting a bucket. He is going right at you, and he is creating separation and gonna knock down one of his short range jumpers, which have just been automatic now. But his finishing at the rim was also phenomenal. He's just gotten so good at quickly attacking this defense in semi transition or early in the possession before they can build the wall and really.

Set up the zone.

Set up the zone.

And he's just gotten better at finding the driving angles and still carving up the defense, getting all the way downhill, and he's making good reads, and he's finding dudes in the Duncker spot, and he's finding shooters like he was setting up everybody on the top of creating crazy efficient offense for himself. And guys just couldn't hit an outside shot in this game.

And he's just gotten better at finding the driving angles and still carving up the defense, getting all the way downhill, and he's making good reads, and he's finding dudes in the Duncker spot, and he's finding shooters like he was setting up everybody on the top of creating crazy efficient offense for himself. And guys just couldn't hit an outside shot in this game.

Yeah, and I will.

Yeah, and I will.

I do want to give some of the Thunder credit too, for some of the back cuts in this game. Dude Hartenstein had a lot where he just got behind the defense, And I do want to give SGA and JDub credit for playmaking in this game. I thought this was a really bad JDub shooting night, but he did playmake well. That was the one aspect of the Oklahoma City defense are excuse me offense I was impressed with was their ability to get downhill.

I do want to give some of the Thunder credit too, for some of the back cuts in this game. Dude Hartenstein had a lot where he just got behind the defense, And I do want to give SGA and JDub credit for playmaking in this game. I thought this was a really bad JDub shooting night, but he did playmake well. That was the one aspect of the Oklahoma City defense are excuse me offense I was impressed with was their ability to get downhill.

Get into the teeth of the defense, beat.

Get into the teeth of the defense, beat.

That initial defender, and then force that Denver defense to pick and choose their battles because they got a lot of easy offense along the baseline and near the rim just off of initial dribble penetration.

That initial defender, and then force that Denver defense to pick and choose their battles because they got a lot of easy offense along the baseline and near the rim just off of initial dribble penetration.

That is something I thought. Okay See did a really good.

That is something I thought. Okay See did a really good.

Job of absolutely and Sga has just been lights out as a scorer for these last five quarters.

Job of absolutely and Sga has just been lights out as a scorer for these last five quarters.

Obviously, what he did in the fourth quarter.

Obviously, what he did in the fourth quarter.

Was special of last game and then just throughout this one, I thought that he was absolutely on one and he does look extremely comfortable against a defense that was making him extremely uncomfortable at some points early in this series, a big problem for OKC. In this game, there were really two stretches that decided things. You mentioned the straw or one man run. That was the obvious one. The other one was when Shaye picks up his fourth foul at the very end of the first half. OKC was clicking on all cylinders. They had built a twelve point lead and it felt like they were maybe on the verge of pulling away, and then Christian Brown hits one to three, Shay gets stripped by Jokich, goes for the ball. Now, Logan, we were texting about this. Looked like he got all ball. But nevertheless, I just don't think he should try to make that play in that moment because it's gonna look like a frustration foul and you're playing with three fouls. Don't give the official and opportunity to make a call. Don't give Yokich an opportunity to flail. He has to come out of the game. Then Denver goes on a nine to zero run and they're able to erase that advantage entirely with Shay off the floor. I did think he got all ball, man, It definitely looked like he got all ball with the hand he was targeting the ball with. Maybe there was something with the offhand that I didn't see initially, but he definitely got all ball with his main hand. But that was a really big stretch for Denver as well, and Christian Brown again makes a couple of big shots in that stretch. So those were two really pivotal runs for them. And I will say, really the only note I think you can have for SGA is you have to play more than thirty five minutes in a game seven, because as good as okc's depth is, like, you're the dude who was doing your superhuman stuff, and you're the one guy who I really trust to consistently get to great shots. I certainly don't trust Jada to do that right now. You have questions about some of the supporting shooting. There's always just some game to game variance with that, like they shot the ball better last game, but SJA has to be able to captain this offense for forty plus minutes in a game seven. I also thought it was weird that Chet only played thirty minutes in this game, because I did think that he was clearly their second best player. Also thought it was kind of weird that Hartenstein only played twenty five. I thought that he gave you some solid minutes at least on the glass, and you mentioned the cutting and finishing was good from him. They're trying to find some j Will minutes. Of course, he's been good in this series. He was solid again today, maybe not as good, but as we look forward to a game seven, Logan, what are the key factors that stand out to you.

Was special of last game and then just throughout this one, I thought that he was absolutely on one and he does look extremely comfortable against a defense that was making him extremely uncomfortable at some points early in this series, a big problem for OKC. In this game, there were really two stretches that decided things. You mentioned the straw or one man run. That was the obvious one. The other one was when Shaye picks up his fourth foul at the very end of the first half. OKC was clicking on all cylinders. They had built a twelve point lead and it felt like they were maybe on the verge of pulling away, and then Christian Brown hits one to three, Shay gets stripped by Jokich, goes for the ball. Now, Logan, we were texting about this. Looked like he got all ball. But nevertheless, I just don't think he should try to make that play in that moment because it's gonna look like a frustration foul and you're playing with three fouls. Don't give the official and opportunity to make a call. Don't give Yokich an opportunity to flail. He has to come out of the game. Then Denver goes on a nine to zero run and they're able to erase that advantage entirely with Shay off the floor. I did think he got all ball, man, It definitely looked like he got all ball with the hand he was targeting the ball with. Maybe there was something with the offhand that I didn't see initially, but he definitely got all ball with his main hand. But that was a really big stretch for Denver as well, and Christian Brown again makes a couple of big shots in that stretch. So those were two really pivotal runs for them. And I will say, really the only note I think you can have for SGA is you have to play more than thirty five minutes in a game seven, because as good as okc's depth is, like, you're the dude who was doing your superhuman stuff, and you're the one guy who I really trust to consistently get to great shots. I certainly don't trust Jada to do that right now. You have questions about some of the supporting shooting. There's always just some game to game variance with that, like they shot the ball better last game, but SJA has to be able to captain this offense for forty plus minutes in a game seven. I also thought it was weird that Chet only played thirty minutes in this game, because I did think that he was clearly their second best player. Also thought it was kind of weird that Hartenstein only played twenty five. I thought that he gave you some solid minutes at least on the glass, and you mentioned the cutting and finishing was good from him. They're trying to find some j Will minutes. Of course, he's been good in this series. He was solid again today, maybe not as good, but as we look forward to a game seven, Logan, what are the key factors that stand out to you.

You want to start with Denver.

You want to start with Denver.

Okase you start wherever you feel, buddy, and I'll follow you.

Okase you start wherever you feel, buddy, and I'll follow you.

I'll start with Denver. I think that you need another Jamal Murray game like this. I don't necessarily think you need a Jamal Murray masterclass, but I think you need him to pull his weight enough. Specifically, I think you need him to step up.

I'll start with Denver. I think that you need another Jamal Murray game like this. I don't necessarily think you need a Jamal Murray masterclass, but I think you need him to pull his weight enough. Specifically, I think you need him to step up.

In the fourth quarter, and Jamal has been.

In the fourth quarter, and Jamal has been.

Jamal is like on a handful of players like that I would take in like a clutch or big spot.

Jamal is like on a handful of players like that I would take in like a clutch or big spot.

I really do.

I really do.

Like I think sometimes that clutch gene can kind of get overstated, but he really is one of those special guys I want in big moments.

Like I think sometimes that clutch gene can kind of get overstated, but he really is one of those special guys I want in big moments.

I gotta give this Jamal stat because I forgot too earlier. He's plus twenty eight in this game. Man Halkins is only plus eleven. They only win the game by twelve points. So Jamal's ability to captain the offense in those non Jokins mits and carry them in some of those stretches was absolutely crucial.

I gotta give this Jamal stat because I forgot too earlier. He's plus twenty eight in this game. Man Halkins is only plus eleven. They only win the game by twelve points. So Jamal's ability to captain the offense in those non Jokins mits and carry them in some of those stretches was absolutely crucial.

Yeah, so I think that's huge.

Yeah, so I think that's huge.

I think you've got to shoot something similar to this, Like, you know, if it is just a couple of threes from an MPG or a Brown. You need to at least match or get close to OKC, because I again, that's a key advantage that I think OKAC has over this Denver team.

I think you've got to shoot something similar to this, Like, you know, if it is just a couple of threes from an MPG or a Brown. You need to at least match or get close to OKC, because I again, that's a key advantage that I think OKAC has over this Denver team.

Is there a collective shooting.

Is there a collective shooting.

And I know it didn't prevail tonight, but traditionally over a series, in most games, that's going to be advantage OKC. So you can't get beat too bad from behind the arc. And then I think that I think you need a big game from one of your role players, necessarily not it doesn't have to be anybody specifically, but somebody outside of Marie and Jokic gets going. And finally, I just think you have to avoid a disastrous Russell Westbrook game. I hate picking on the guy. I think Russ has been overall really good in these playoffs and has been a positive. I think he's been a positive this season in general. This is an ugly game from him. I couldn't believe that Adaman didn't pull him just in the first quarter when he was like two minutes in.

And I know it didn't prevail tonight, but traditionally over a series, in most games, that's going to be advantage OKC. So you can't get beat too bad from behind the arc. And then I think that I think you need a big game from one of your role players, necessarily not it doesn't have to be anybody specifically, but somebody outside of Marie and Jokic gets going. And finally, I just think you have to avoid a disastrous Russell Westbrook game. I hate picking on the guy. I think Russ has been overall really good in these playoffs and has been a positive. I think he's been a positive this season in general. This is an ugly game from him. I couldn't believe that Adaman didn't pull him just in the first quarter when he was like two minutes in.

I mean, it was ugly. He is just turning the ball over, not taking care of it.

I mean, it was ugly. He is just turning the ball over, not taking care of it.

He's taking bad, dumb shots, like I don't know, man, I like Russ's energy.

He's taking bad, dumb shots, like I don't know, man, I like Russ's energy.

I like what he gives you on some nights, I might.

I like what he gives you on some nights, I might.

Give him a shorter leash in game seven and just be like, I don't know, man, I'd he'd be real quick to get pulled if he's messing up. Man, I'd give him a real short leash. And then hell man, let's give strawthor some burn, dude. Let's see if maybe we can get him going a little bit earlier in the second quarter or something like that, Like if he can give you this kind of a punch off the bench. You know, Ice Cold hasn't played at all. Well, maybe give him a little bird early in the game and see if he can get some easy opportunities. But I still do feel like OKAC is the team that should dictate, and I feel like they're the better team, and so I still feel like more things have to go right for Denver than for Oka.

Give him a shorter leash in game seven and just be like, I don't know, man, I'd he'd be real quick to get pulled if he's messing up. Man, I'd give him a real short leash. And then hell man, let's give strawthor some burn, dude. Let's see if maybe we can get him going a little bit earlier in the second quarter or something like that, Like if he can give you this kind of a punch off the bench. You know, Ice Cold hasn't played at all. Well, maybe give him a little bird early in the game and see if he can get some easy opportunities. But I still do feel like OKAC is the team that should dictate, and I feel like they're the better team, and so I still feel like more things have to go right for Denver than for Oka.

See, I still do feel like they have more margin.

See, I still do feel like they have more margin.

I would agree with that.

I would agree with that.

I think that the aspect that I am most excited for is the Superstar Battle because both of those guys are so in rhythm. They've both been so good over these last two games, and like I said, I think they know what they're seeing now, they know how to attack it. I trust them both to play at an extremely high level in Game seven because they've both done it and back to back games. Now, if there's one guy who I am going to say is more capable and more likely to rise to just like an I'm single handedly going to win us to win kind of level, it would be Jokic. But overall, I think we're gonna get great stuff from both of the superstars. So honestly, and this is kind of true for any individual basketball game these days, So maybe it's kind of boring to say, but the three point shooting you get from the supporting casts might be the biggest key for both sides because it's been a roller coaster ride for both teams in that way. And it's very different because Okasee is a really good three point shooting team. Denver is an efficient three point shooting team. But there are a lot of guys who get into the rotation who the defense is going to be totally willing to concede open threes too. If that's Christian Brown, if that's Russell Westbrook, if that's Peyton Watson, and so those guys were really, really struggling to make outside shots in this series coming into today, but in this one, Christian Brown at least shoots significantly better and they get obviously the three to three pointers out of Julian Strother, So that's going to be huge for Denver. Can those more questionable shooters knockdown shots or maybe do they get a little bit of juice from Strawther? For what it's worth, I'm not counting on Julian Strother to be able to give you twenty minutes in a game seven. Like, I definitely think there's a real chance that this is not replicated. There were a couple shots that he took, a couple runners that I didn't like, Like he made some big ass shots, But I don't think you can just be like, oh great, Julian Strother's gonna give us twenty awesome minutes again in game seven.

I think that the aspect that I am most excited for is the Superstar Battle because both of those guys are so in rhythm. They've both been so good over these last two games, and like I said, I think they know what they're seeing now, they know how to attack it. I trust them both to play at an extremely high level in Game seven because they've both done it and back to back games. Now, if there's one guy who I am going to say is more capable and more likely to rise to just like an I'm single handedly going to win us to win kind of level, it would be Jokic. But overall, I think we're gonna get great stuff from both of the superstars. So honestly, and this is kind of true for any individual basketball game these days, So maybe it's kind of boring to say, but the three point shooting you get from the supporting casts might be the biggest key for both sides because it's been a roller coaster ride for both teams in that way. And it's very different because Okasee is a really good three point shooting team. Denver is an efficient three point shooting team. But there are a lot of guys who get into the rotation who the defense is going to be totally willing to concede open threes too. If that's Christian Brown, if that's Russell Westbrook, if that's Peyton Watson, and so those guys were really, really struggling to make outside shots in this series coming into today, but in this one, Christian Brown at least shoots significantly better and they get obviously the three to three pointers out of Julian Strother, So that's going to be huge for Denver. Can those more questionable shooters knockdown shots or maybe do they get a little bit of juice from Strawther? For what it's worth, I'm not counting on Julian Strother to be able to give you twenty minutes in a game seven. Like, I definitely think there's a real chance that this is not replicated. There were a couple shots that he took, a couple runners that I didn't like, Like he made some big ass shots, But I don't think you can just be like, oh great, Julian Strother's gonna give us twenty awesome minutes again in game seven.

Well, I mean I kind of would play him like Russ, where like early in the game, I'm giving him some burn and if he's given me good minutes, I'm sure he can get some more and if he's not, I'll pull him early. I will say, I think one of those runners was pretty late in the shot clock, so I gave him a little bit of slack with that, but you know, you get that shot going, you start feeling yourself. It's like, all right, man, I gotta see if I can hit everything.

Well, I mean I kind of would play him like Russ, where like early in the game, I'm giving him some burn and if he's given me good minutes, I'm sure he can get some more and if he's not, I'll pull him early. I will say, I think one of those runners was pretty late in the shot clock, so I gave him a little bit of slack with that, but you know, you get that shot going, you start feeling yourself. It's like, all right, man, I gotta see if I can hit everything.

Sure, but also you gotta know your place.

Sure, but also you gotta know your place.

As Julian Strawther, I don't disagree that they should at least give him a few minutes and see how he's playing, but I wouldn't necessarily count on him. And also, obviously MPJ is a big X factor on the shooting front. He was able to make a couple shots in this game.

As Julian Strawther, I don't disagree that they should at least give him a few minutes and see how he's playing, but I wouldn't necessarily count on him. And also, obviously MPJ is a big X factor on the shooting front. He was able to make a couple shots in this game.

I thought that he was a.

I thought that he was a.

Little more active defensively. They still only played him twenty nine minutes. But obviously he has really struggled for the most part in this series. So how much are you able to play him is a factor, and then do you have that reliable fifth guy to close with, because that's a big question for this Denver team with how Russ is shooting in this series. He is not that guy that he was against the Clippers, where he was awesome and you felt like you could rely on him in those big swats Peyton Watson. The shot is such a big concern. Strawther, Again, I'm just not ready to trust in that kind of moment. So it's going to be pretty huge that either MPJ or Russ are making their shots from the three point line for Denver and then for Okay. See, it's just more of like a collective thing because most of the shots that they're getting I like. But Jadab has to be able to shoot better than he has been chet in this series. It's been a struggle from beyond the arc lou Dort. Obviously, it's consistently been a struggle, and there are a couple guys who have been shooting it better, like Cason Wallace, who I thought was also really good in this game. By the way, he's a guy who deserves a shout out because I thought that he was great turning defense into offense. He knocks down a couple of corner threes, he gets a couple of transitional layoffs.

Little more active defensively. They still only played him twenty nine minutes. But obviously he has really struggled for the most part in this series. So how much are you able to play him is a factor, and then do you have that reliable fifth guy to close with, because that's a big question for this Denver team with how Russ is shooting in this series. He is not that guy that he was against the Clippers, where he was awesome and you felt like you could rely on him in those big swats Peyton Watson. The shot is such a big concern. Strawther, Again, I'm just not ready to trust in that kind of moment. So it's going to be pretty huge that either MPJ or Russ are making their shots from the three point line for Denver and then for Okay. See, it's just more of like a collective thing because most of the shots that they're getting I like. But Jadab has to be able to shoot better than he has been chet in this series. It's been a struggle from beyond the arc lou Dort. Obviously, it's consistently been a struggle, and there are a couple guys who have been shooting it better, like Cason Wallace, who I thought was also really good in this game. By the way, he's a guy who deserves a shout out because I thought that he was great turning defense into offense. He knocks down a couple of corner threes, he gets a couple of transitional layoffs.

He finished some of those transition layoups so quick I thought he missed them.

He finished some of those transition layoups so quick I thought he missed them.

He's just crazy.

He's just crazy.

He's just the dog. I know how much you love him. I love him a lot too, But he gave you big minutes in this one. Wiggins again wasn't shooting, but he's been a guy they've been able to turn to for offense. But I'm gonna say again, I just think we need more Caruso and a little bit.

He's just the dog. I know how much you love him. I love him a lot too, But he gave you big minutes in this one. Wiggins again wasn't shooting, but he's been a guy they've been able to turn to for offense. But I'm gonna say again, I just think we need more Caruso and a little bit.

Less lou Dort. I thought we just.

Less lou Dort. I thought we just.

Played the dotal foggling like this.

Played the dotal foggling like this.

I would be again, man, Okac has such a surplus of guys that can play defense and can do the complimentary things. There comes a point where I feel like, in a game, I'm just gonna see who can make shots, and I'm gonna ride with that lineup. Like I understand the value that Dort brings and stuff like that, but like, if he's not gonna hit shots, I don't want to play him. You need to maximize, in my opinion, the shooting that you've got around them, and that to me, is the most important. For Okacs is just a lot better at everything else.

I would be again, man, Okac has such a surplus of guys that can play defense and can do the complimentary things. There comes a point where I feel like, in a game, I'm just gonna see who can make shots, and I'm gonna ride with that lineup. Like I understand the value that Dort brings and stuff like that, but like, if he's not gonna hit shots, I don't want to play him. You need to maximize, in my opinion, the shooting that you've got around them, and that to me, is the most important. For Okacs is just a lot better at everything else.

As we talked about offensively.

As we talked about offensively.

I get, yeah, the little connective stuff, the positioning, the field, the cutting.

I get, yeah, the little connective stuff, the positioning, the field, the cutting.

Caruso clears in all those areas. He's far off as a defender.

Caruso clears in all those areas. He's far off as a defender.

Man Like, in terms of he's a better defender, Yeah, he's a better defender.

Man Like, in terms of he's a better defender, Yeah, he's a better defender.

In terms of versatility. I prefer Caruso way more in terms of like switching on to bigger guys and stuff, like that, Like, yeah, I would, just I'd give Caruso more burn man.

In terms of versatility. I prefer Caruso way more in terms of like switching on to bigger guys and stuff, like that, Like, yeah, I would, just I'd give Caruso more burn man.

Caruso is clearly the better all around defender when you consider that he's at least like ninety five percent of the on ball irritant and elite man defender that Lou is, while he is a way better off ball defender because he's like one of a kind disruptive at his position. In terms of that off ball defense, I think he should play at least thirty minutes. It's everything that you said, but the cutting, the playmaking, the finishing, the more versatile defensive impact, the shooting. He's doing all that stuff better than Lou, who gave them a massive massive surge in Game five, but has just been way less reliable. So as good as the thunder bench is, I don't think there's anything wrong with riding your best guys a little bit more. And if anything, listen, if Jadav's off, like maybe he doesn't need to play thirty eight minutes, you obviously need him in the non Shae minutes. But he has not been a very good compliment to Shane, necessarily because guys have to be able to knock down shots off the catch to be effective and He's had a couple nice drives into gaps and he's made some nice reads, but the shot is a massive, massive problem for him right now, so that three point shooting is a big key. Ultimately, I do trust the Thunder shooting more. I think that a lot of those Denver guys I feel really shaky about, and some of the Thunder guys are a little bit cold right now, but they are proven to be better shooters overall. I also think what you get out of your second options is a massive key.

Caruso is clearly the better all around defender when you consider that he's at least like ninety five percent of the on ball irritant and elite man defender that Lou is, while he is a way better off ball defender because he's like one of a kind disruptive at his position. In terms of that off ball defense, I think he should play at least thirty minutes. It's everything that you said, but the cutting, the playmaking, the finishing, the more versatile defensive impact, the shooting. He's doing all that stuff better than Lou, who gave them a massive massive surge in Game five, but has just been way less reliable. So as good as the thunder bench is, I don't think there's anything wrong with riding your best guys a little bit more. And if anything, listen, if Jadav's off, like maybe he doesn't need to play thirty eight minutes, you obviously need him in the non Shae minutes. But he has not been a very good compliment to Shane, necessarily because guys have to be able to knock down shots off the catch to be effective and He's had a couple nice drives into gaps and he's made some nice reads, but the shot is a massive, massive problem for him right now, so that three point shooting is a big key. Ultimately, I do trust the Thunder shooting more. I think that a lot of those Denver guys I feel really shaky about, and some of the Thunder guys are a little bit cold right now, but they are proven to be better shooters overall. I also think what you get out of your second options is a massive key.

I would be surprised.

I would be surprised.

If Jadub outplayed Jamal Murray offensively, just with how he's looked. Also, I just think Jamal Murray is a better offensive player than Jaln Williams. What makes Jadub so effective, what makes him like an all star caliber guy, is that he is among the ten twelve best defensive players on the planet, and even there, like tonight, he has a really pronounced impact. But Jamal just has an ability to get to his spots. He's such a special shot maker that's more reliable. It's more like, can okay see from their perspective, keep Jamal from having one of his big games, and can Jadab not shit himself can Jadub instead of going three of sixteen, give me six for sixteen, give me eighteen to twenty points, like competently guide the ship when Shay is off the floor and knock down some shots off the catch alongside him. I think that if Okse can have those number twos place close to a draw, then you would think that their collective depth and shooting should be the advantage in obviously just their defense being as special as it is.

If Jadub outplayed Jamal Murray offensively, just with how he's looked. Also, I just think Jamal Murray is a better offensive player than Jaln Williams. What makes Jadub so effective, what makes him like an all star caliber guy, is that he is among the ten twelve best defensive players on the planet, and even there, like tonight, he has a really pronounced impact. But Jamal just has an ability to get to his spots. He's such a special shot maker that's more reliable. It's more like, can okay see from their perspective, keep Jamal from having one of his big games, and can Jadab not shit himself can Jadub instead of going three of sixteen, give me six for sixteen, give me eighteen to twenty points, like competently guide the ship when Shay is off the floor and knock down some shots off the catch alongside him. I think that if Okse can have those number twos place close to a draw, then you would think that their collective depth and shooting should be the advantage in obviously just their defense being as special as it is.

It's extra key.

It's extra key.

For Denver though, because even though I give them props for how they've done in the non Jokic minutes, they're still a part of me that is, like, if Jamal isn't great, well, that could be a stretch where Yokic shit's four or five minutes, Okase could build an eight ten point lead like that. It hasn't happened much in this series, but they are capable of it. So that's where I think Jamal is a really, really key performer. One other key that I I thought Denver was able to execute well for most of this game. It was able to help them keep their lead was limiting the turnovers.

For Denver though, because even though I give them props for how they've done in the non Jokic minutes, they're still a part of me that is, like, if Jamal isn't great, well, that could be a stretch where Yokic shit's four or five minutes, Okase could build an eight ten point lead like that. It hasn't happened much in this series, but they are capable of it. So that's where I think Jamal is a really, really key performer. One other key that I I thought Denver was able to execute well for most of this game. It was able to help them keep their lead was limiting the turnovers.

Now at the end that.

Now at the end that.

All fell apart because Caruso was just doing his crazy stuff, and like you said, Denver got a little bit careless with the ball and Okase he ends up having a good number of transition points in this game, significantly more than Denver. Thirty three to seventeen ends up being the transition point differential. But a lot of that came in that final stretch and in the first quarter. I thought, in the second and third quarters, in a good portion of the fourth, Denver did a good job protecting the basketball and their transition defense was pretty good. That's massive because that's where Okaysee does have the ability again to separate from you. If they're turning defense into offense consistently getting those easy transition chances. That's where Jadob is going to be at his best. That's where he's going to be most comfortable attacking in the full court, even though he couldn't even do that right tonight. So Denver has to limit that in my opinion. And then I think the battle on the boards, it's always been big in this series. I think that if ok C can basically keep that to a draw, that's a solid outcome for them. Although we saw them have the advantage on the glass in a couple games because they're just so active. But I do think that Denver as the bigger, stronger team in the front court, and with the Yolkic factor with Aaron Gordon like, they should be expected to generate more second chances in an average game. All those factors and all those keys considered and weighted out.

All fell apart because Caruso was just doing his crazy stuff, and like you said, Denver got a little bit careless with the ball and Okase he ends up having a good number of transition points in this game, significantly more than Denver. Thirty three to seventeen ends up being the transition point differential. But a lot of that came in that final stretch and in the first quarter. I thought, in the second and third quarters, in a good portion of the fourth, Denver did a good job protecting the basketball and their transition defense was pretty good. That's massive because that's where Okaysee does have the ability again to separate from you. If they're turning defense into offense consistently getting those easy transition chances. That's where Jadob is going to be at his best. That's where he's going to be most comfortable attacking in the full court, even though he couldn't even do that right tonight. So Denver has to limit that in my opinion. And then I think the battle on the boards, it's always been big in this series. I think that if ok C can basically keep that to a draw, that's a solid outcome for them. Although we saw them have the advantage on the glass in a couple games because they're just so active. But I do think that Denver as the bigger, stronger team in the front court, and with the Yolkic factor with Aaron Gordon like, they should be expected to generate more second chances in an average game. All those factors and all those keys considered and weighted out.

Logan, who do you like in Game seven?

Logan, who do you like in Game seven?

Man?

Man?

He didn't think I was gonna ask.

He didn't think I was gonna ask.

No, I've been sitting over here thanking the entire I don't.

No, I've been sitting over here thanking the entire I don't.

I could flip a coin, man, I could see this game really going either way. The reason I want to take the Nuggets is because a very large portion of my still still thinks that I trust them more in the clutch, and I think this game is going to be very, very close going in to the final stretch of Game seven, and even though they're on the road in Oklahoma City, I just trust Denver to.

I could flip a coin, man, I could see this game really going either way. The reason I want to take the Nuggets is because a very large portion of my still still thinks that I trust them more in the clutch, and I think this game is going to be very, very close going in to the final stretch of Game seven, and even though they're on the road in Oklahoma City, I just trust Denver to.

Operate better down the stretch. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna take Denver.

Operate better down the stretch. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna take Denver.

I've I thought coming into this show I was gonna take Oklahoma City and seven.

I've I thought coming into this show I was gonna take Oklahoma City and seven.

I think Jokic is the best player in the world, and I'm gonna bet on him to win this game.

I think Jokic is the best player in the world, and I'm gonna bet on him to win this game.

Wow, it always does scare me betting against yolkicen a do or die spot, and like, I don't think that this is like an obvious no brainer, but I do think that OKAC is the better team, so I would pick them to win Game seven on their home floor. The biggest reason for that is probably how impressed I've been by Shay in these last couple games, because I think that when he plays up to his standards or even exceeds them potentially, that's when OKAC should win these games, unless they have the sort of exceptional failure from the supporting cast like they did tonight. But on average, their supporting cast is better in terms of their two way ability, and I do trust guys to knock down more shots than they did tonight. I also think it's really really big that it felt like they figured out the zone tonight, like SGA was making the right reads. You mentioned the cutting that was a big part of it. They were finding the soft spots in the zone. They generated one point one points per possession against the zone on twenty three possessions. That's a better number than they've turned out in any of the previous games. And they did that without shooting well, which is like the thing that you think is going to beat the zone on average, So I think they have more potential to win the turnover margin consistently. I do think that they'll be able to actually play Denver decently even on the glass, just with how hard they play. I like more Caruso minutes as opposed to lou Door. I expect that adjustment, and I think that it's a swing factor. And like I said, I just expect some of the guys around Shay to be better. I think both superstars are going to be great. Maybe Jokic can just be so unbelievable, but I have more concerns about some of the guys around him. I'm not confident that Christian Brown replicates this. I don't know what the hell I'm getting out of MPJ. I don't know what the hell I'm getting out of Russell Westbrook. I don't know what I'm getting out of a lot of guys for Denver. And even though there's been inconsistency with Oka, see, they have more options to turn to and they.

Wow, it always does scare me betting against yolkicen a do or die spot, and like, I don't think that this is like an obvious no brainer, but I do think that OKAC is the better team, so I would pick them to win Game seven on their home floor. The biggest reason for that is probably how impressed I've been by Shay in these last couple games, because I think that when he plays up to his standards or even exceeds them potentially, that's when OKAC should win these games, unless they have the sort of exceptional failure from the supporting cast like they did tonight. But on average, their supporting cast is better in terms of their two way ability, and I do trust guys to knock down more shots than they did tonight. I also think it's really really big that it felt like they figured out the zone tonight, like SGA was making the right reads. You mentioned the cutting that was a big part of it. They were finding the soft spots in the zone. They generated one point one points per possession against the zone on twenty three possessions. That's a better number than they've turned out in any of the previous games. And they did that without shooting well, which is like the thing that you think is going to beat the zone on average, So I think they have more potential to win the turnover margin consistently. I do think that they'll be able to actually play Denver decently even on the glass, just with how hard they play. I like more Caruso minutes as opposed to lou Door. I expect that adjustment, and I think that it's a swing factor. And like I said, I just expect some of the guys around Shay to be better. I think both superstars are going to be great. Maybe Jokic can just be so unbelievable, but I have more concerns about some of the guys around him. I'm not confident that Christian Brown replicates this. I don't know what the hell I'm getting out of MPJ. I don't know what the hell I'm getting out of Russell Westbrook. I don't know what I'm getting out of a lot of guys for Denver. And even though there's been inconsistency with Oka, see, they have more options to turn to and they.

Have more talent overall. So I'm gonna take okay.

Have more talent overall. So I'm gonna take okay.

See, we do have some super chats to get to before we get out of here. Indie merchant, Sam, thank you again for your donation. I'm poorn honey on Strawther you have to got to it's a career defining kind of performance.

See, we do have some super chats to get to before we get out of here. Indie merchant, Sam, thank you again for your donation. I'm poorn honey on Strawther you have to got to it's a career defining kind of performance.

Man, Just crazy, dude, I'm empty.

Man, Just crazy, dude, I'm empty.

I need to go to the store and get some more already emptied, all mine out.

I need to go to the store and get some more already emptied, all mine out.

Yeah, well that could be taken out of context, but I'm gonna interpret that generously. Say that you're talking about Poorn Honey on Julian.

Yeah, well that could be taken out of context, but I'm gonna interpret that generously. Say that you're talking about Poorn Honey on Julian.

Straw It's what I was talking about.

Straw It's what I was talking about.

And then you mean it quite literally, shout out Adelman. Man, I mean, like seriously, Yeah, he tested the waters with him in Game five, he played ten minutes. But to give him an extended stint in this one and to have it be like maybe the swing factor, that's just huge. Calvin Booth, redemption, Calvin Booth. This was the good guy all along. Calvin Booth was a genius. He knew what he was doing.

And then you mean it quite literally, shout out Adelman. Man, I mean, like seriously, Yeah, he tested the waters with him in Game five, he played ten minutes. But to give him an extended stint in this one and to have it be like maybe the swing factor, that's just huge. Calvin Booth, redemption, Calvin Booth. This was the good guy all along. Calvin Booth was a genius. He knew what he was doing.

Find out this low.

Find out this low.

Key that's kind of it's one of the craziest storylines of these playoffs.

Key that's kind of it's one of the craziest storylines of these playoffs.

Well, it's a crazy storyline for one single game. I mean, let's let's not.

Well, it's a crazy storyline for one single game. I mean, let's let's not.

If they gets to a Western Conference finals after firing their coach and like that's just ridiculous.

If they gets to a Western Conference finals after firing their coach and like that's just ridiculous.

Oh that is insane.

Oh that is insane.

Absolutely, I'm just saying Calvin Booth absolutely deserved to be fired, and Adaman has done a really good job and the whole team has just rallied in such an impressive way. Man to be going into a Game seven against the sixty eight win Thunder, that's wild considering where Denver was with three games to go in the regular season. The NBA eighty two game grind is done, and now the real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and it's time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments, and.

Absolutely, I'm just saying Calvin Booth absolutely deserved to be fired, and Adaman has done a really good job and the whole team has just rallied in such an impressive way. Man to be going into a Game seven against the sixty eight win Thunder, that's wild considering where Denver was with three games to go in the regular season. The NBA eighty two game grind is done, and now the real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and it's time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments, and.

Job dropping plays. I can't wait.

Job dropping plays. I can't wait.

If you're looking to make the playoffs even more exciting, DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered as an official sports betting partner of the NBA from the play in games all the way through to the finals. Now's the time to back your favorite players and teams as they chase glory All season long.

If you're looking to make the playoffs even more exciting, DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered as an official sports betting partner of the NBA from the play in games all the way through to the finals. Now's the time to back your favorite players and teams as they chase glory All season long.

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