Nikola Jokic had a forgettable 2022 playoff debut in Game 1 of the series between the Warriors and the Nuggets. Draymond Green, who was able to limit The Joker in the first game, thinks that the Nuggets’ superstar will bounce back Game 2.
After Jokic shot 12-for-25 from the field while adding 10 rebounds and six assists, Green openly worried that Jokic will elevate his game when the Warriors host the Nuggets in Game 2 of their first-round series on Monday night.
“I feel like he’s going to try to come out and give me 40 [points], 15 [rebounds] and 15 [assists] next game,” Green said, via NBA.com. “He’s pissed off and he’s coming back with a vengeance tomorrow.”
Since he returned from a back injury, Green tried to find his footing being under minutes restriction for 10 of the last 12 games of the season. Green was feeling fine during his first playoff game in two years stopping Jokic from dominate the game.
“He’s an incredible player and a very, very, very tough guard,” Green said of Jokic. “When I’m guarding him, I’m also playing chess. It’s not just ‘Bang, bang, I beat him to the spot.’ It’s a lot of different games within the game that you have to try to play.”
The Nuggets will hope to bounce back from a tough loss and Jokic is expected to be in the center of any success. Green was excellent in the defensive end and his playmaking was on point. However, Jordan Poole was the X-Factor for the Warriors going for 30 points.
Tonight, they will need more to contain Jokic and co. and take a serious advantage over the short-handed Nuggets.
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