The supporting cast
The Nuggets team as a whole can all individually do their part as their contributions have an impact on the series. Former all-star Paul Millsap isn’t the same player we are accustomed to seeing, but he’s still an effective rebounder and guards the bigs on the defensive end.
He has also been able to knock down the occasional 3-pointer whenever he is left open. Monte Morris is an excellent backup point guard as Malone can trust him whenever Murray goes to the bench. Morris rarely turns the ball over and is capable of setting up the offense and will make you pay from behind the arc if you leave him open.
Torrey Craig is a plus-defender who is long and athletic and gives the Nuggets flexibility by being able to guard multiple positions. Michael Porter Jr. has the opportunity to put the Nuggets in a position to win this series. He showed how valuable he can be in the first two rounds of the playoffs as he has come up huge and is not affected by the pressure that usually swallows young players whole as he actually welcomes the challenge.
The Nuggets’ identity
The Nuggets’ identity is being aggressive on defense while turning good defense into offense, defending, rebounding, and running in transition. They make opponents work and scrap for everything especially when they are facing elimination.
This is a hungry, cohesive group of guys who play well together and comes out with plenty of energy and focus and can overwhelm heir competition when they are locked in. Let’s call it the “Mile-High Mentality” as the Nuggets appear determined to swing this series back in their favor.