Jokic is responsible for the defeat of Nuggets Game 7

DENVER – After the Denver Nuggets' best season came to an end, Nikola Jokic was held responsible for the loss of match 7 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Despite 29 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, Jokic was singled out for the 100-96 home defeat, in which he missed seven out of ten throws in the fourth quarter and one of two free throws with 11.4 seconds remaining and Denver. three in the decisive game of the semifinals of the Western Conference.

"They see me as a leader and they consider me their best player," Jokic said in a postgame. "So yes, I missed those free throws towards the end, and in the Portland match, we made four overtime, I missed a lot of other shots, and I'm supposed to do it." some."

In his first playoffs, Jokic became the best playoff player in the NBA. He averaged 24.8 points, 13.0 rebounds and 8.9 assists, and there were times when San Antonio and Portland had no answer for the 7-footer.

"It's Nikola Jokic who is responsible for the loss," said Michael Malone, Denver coach shortly after the seventh game. "It's not his fault, it's a collective effort, I think the cumulative effect of 14 playoff games has prompted us to do as much as we've asked him to do in the end." took his toll on him tonight. "

Jokic made four double triples, including 33 points, 18 rebounds and 14 assists, in a defeat of four extra time in the third match. The big player played 65 minutes, the largest number of minutes in the playoffs of the throwing season.

"I hope that after 14 playoff games, America, everyone in the world watching the playoffs, really enjoyed Nikola's game," Malone said. "His playoff debut has almost reached the average of a triple-double in 14 games and has played nearly 40 minutes a night – he's arguably the best man in the NBA."

The Nuggets shot only 2 of 19 in Match 7, and Jokic was the only Nugget to score both points. Jamal Murray shot 4-for-18 and finished with 17 points. Gary Harris scored seven of 11 shots and scored 15 points.

The Nuggets will enter the off-season with the bitter taste of not being able to reach the Western Conference finals, while they are leading 3-2 with Match 7 at home.

"You want to see things in a positive way, but it's difficult when you know you can beat a team and you lose," Murray said. "It's just difficult."