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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – Desperate times bring out the best in the Denver Nuggets.
So does a 35-year veteran willing to fight and stand his ground.
Paul Millsap lit Denver with an uproar before scoring 14 of his 17 points in the third quarter, Michael Porter Jr. hit a late 3-pointer and the Nuggets surpassed a 15-point deficit in the second half to upset the Los Angeles Clippers, 111 -105, Friday night (Saturday Manila time) in the fifth game.
Don’t kick the Nuggets out of the bubble just yet. They went 3-2 in their best-of-seven series.
“Everybody keeps telling us,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “This is how we like it.”
This marked Denver’s fourth elimination game win this postseason, the most for the team since capturing six games in which they either won or went home during the 1994 playoff race. The Nuggets came back from a 3 deficit. -1 to capture his first-round series against Utah.
Denver’s stamina doesn’t surprise the Clippers.
“They played like the season was on the line. They had that focus,” Clippers standout Paul George said. “They were out there flying and playing hard. They made timely baskets that they needed.”
One of the catalysts was Millsap. Denver, 16 down in the first half, trailed 61-46 with 9:42 left in the third before recovering from their game. He made 4 of 5 shots and 5 of 6 free throws in the quarter.
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Really, though, it was a big play he made before halftime that fired up the Nuggets. Millsap and Marcus Morris looked at each other late and had to part ways. Morris was fouled and the Nuggets flaunted.
“He stood up. His response to that situation really helped our team respond,” Malone said. “That gave us some group toughness. Paul played really well for us tonight. That play was really shocking.”
Here’s how it went: Nikola Jokic’s 3-pointer with 7:06 left to give the Nuggets their first lead.
And this: Porter hit a deep triple with 1:11 remaining to finish. It was the only shot he fired from the ground all night.
This after speaking publicly about how he wanted a bigger role after Game Four. He responded at the decisive moment.
“The only thing you love about the kid is that he’s not scared,” Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. “He proved that.”
Jamal Murray finished with 26 points and Jokic added 22 points and 14 rebounds to lift the Nuggets.
The sixth game is on Sunday.
Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points and George added 26 for the Clippers, who are seeking the franchise’s first appearance in a conference final. They are 0-6 all-time in games that could secure a trip to the conference finals.
“We are in the driver’s seat,” George said. “We had them where we wanted them. We should have kept them. They came back and won the game. It all comes down to Game Six.”
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Gary Harris fouled with 1:58 remaining. It had seven points.
Clippers: G Patrick Beverley finished with 10 points. … Morris added 12 points.
FRESH KAWHI
Leonard has now scored 30 or more points seven times this postseason. He also grabbed nine rebounds and gave four assists.
Play to the maximum or is there another level?
“Trying to win a basketball game,” Leonard said. “Next question please.”
MEMORIES OF 9/11
Rivers and Malone reflected on their memories of the 19th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
Rivers had just returned home to Orlando after a trip to Australia when he woke up to the news that started to hit. Almost 3,000 people were killed when al Qaeda hijackers took control of four planes, sending two of the planes to the World Trade Center in New York, one to the Pentagon and the fourth to a field in Pennsylvania.
“Like all Americans that day, we were in awe. We were sad and we just needed answers,” Rivers said. “It was a sad day for our country.”
Malone was working in New York with coach Jeff Van Gundy and was at the team’s practice facility. He recalled that a team manager told them to turn on the television.
“It was surreal. You felt so vulnerable,” Malone said. “I reflected on that today, 19 years ago and the tragic memories you have.”
HEART TO HEART
Malone said he spoke to Porter about how to publicly express his frustrations over his role, as the rookie did after Game 4.
“During the playoffs, the last thing you want is any kind of distraction,” Malone said. “If those frustrations are there for Michael, for anyone, it’s much better to have those conversations internally, in the locker room and with each other.”
Malone appreciates her moxie.
“What you love about Michael, whether it’s his youthful inexperience or not understanding the magnitude of the situation, but he has supreme confidence,” Malone said.
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