Michael Malone says Nuggets ‘give up’ in Recreation 2 loss to Suns

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PHOENIX — The Denver Nuggets have been spiraling within the second half for the second consecutive sport, failing on a number of events to halt the Phoenix Suns’ offensive breakaway onslaught.

However they tried.

Down 21 early within the fourth quarter of Recreation 2 on Wednesday night time, Nuggets energy ahead Paul Millsap noticed a possibility to make use of his energy and dimension for a straightforward scoring alternative when smaller level guard Cameron Payne switched onto him on the left elbow.

Millsap aggressively drove left and acquired a step on the guard. He threw up a floater within the lane, however Payne recovered, leaped and spiked the ball out of bounds. It was a clear block, however he caught Millsap with the physique and was known as for the foul.

With the gang going berserk, Payne immediately turned to the gang, urging them to get louder and shouted “I beat that s***. I beat that s***,” in reference to the block that was whistled a foul.

Cameron Payne yells toward the crowd after a foul call.

Phoenix’s Cameron Payne reacts to a foul name towards the Denver Nuggets throughout Recreation 2 of the Western Convention semifinals at Phoenix Suns Enviornment on June 9, 2021. (Christian Petersen/Getty Pictures)

The Suns definitively beat the Nuggets 123-98 to take a 2-0 sequence lead earlier than the match shifts to Denver for Recreation 3 on Friday.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone pulled most of his rotation gamers early within the last body. On the bench, gamers seemed dejected and mystified.

Will Barton, who made his playoff debut after being sidelined with a hamstring harm, remained in his seat on the bench simply staring into area whereas his teammates have been huddled alongside the baseline throughout a timeout.

The Suns continued to pile on with their non-rotation gamers, and Millsap positioned a towel over his head, wiping his face and shaking his head from left to proper in disbelief of what was happening.

There was nothing they may do to terminate the Suns’ momentum.

And the raucousness of the 16,000-plus followers brought on problems, prompting a number of Nuggets gamers all through the course of the sport to encourage one another to speak louder as a way to execute.

Denver hasn’t confronted an environment like this in over a 12 months. With the sport properly in hand, followers started chanting “Suns in 4,” and so as to add one other layer of sneering, the gang began doing the wave.

Michael Malone: ‘I felt we give up’

Malone has at all times praised his staff for his or her battle and skill to bounce again with power after struggling disappointment.

Following the 17-point loss in Recreation 1, Aaron Gordon and JaMychal Inexperienced known as out the staff within the locker room after the sport for collectively displaying a scarcity of urgency, sources mentioned.

Malone believed his staff, together with newly minted MVP winner Nikola Jokic, would play a a lot totally different sport on Wednesday.

They did, however it was a lot worse. And it led to Malone issuing one of many harshest criticisms a coach can levy on a staff.

“I felt we give up tonight, which is one thing you by no means need to see,” he mentioned after the sport. “… I noticed one staff that needed to be right here, that performed with a function and urgency, and one staff that didn’t need to be right here and performed with no urgency. That is why we acquired our ass kicked.”

Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris look dejected while sitting on the bench.

Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris sit on the bench throughout the last moments of Recreation 2 of the Western Convention semifinals at Phoenix Suns Enviornment on June 9, 2021. (Christian Petersen/Getty Pictures)

It’s not the primary time Malone publicly known as out his staff. The Nuggets do sometimes reply when confronted with adversity. However this trial appears distinct, given how locked of their opponent is.

“They’re enjoying higher than us,” Jokic mentioned after recording 24 factors, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. “They’re rested, they’re making open pictures, they’re discovering open appears to be like. It appears to be like actually unhealthy on the market so we have to change every thing.”

Whereas the Suns have been pouring it on to shut the sport, the bench was celebrating. Chris Paul, nevertheless, was expressionless. He allowed for his youthful teammates to benefit from the second, however his demeanor is setting a tone that what really issues is securing 10 extra wins.

Paul dominated the sport from begin to end, ending with 17 factors, 5 rebounds, 15 assists and 0 turnovers.

He completed fifth within the MVP race, however he has been second to none on this sequence.

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