DeMar DeRozan says San Antonio Spurs not ready for their season to end at hands of Denver Nuggets
Watch Spurs @ Nuggets Game 7 live on Sky Sports Arena in the early hours of Sunday morning (3am)
Friday 26 April 2019 09:53, UK
DeMar DeRozan said he and his San Antonio Spurs team-mates were not ready for their season to end at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of their playoff series.
DeRozan scored 25 points, including 12 in the third quarter, as the Spurs defeated the Nuggets 120-103 to stave off elimination and level the first-round series at 3-3.
Game 7 takes place in Denver in the early hours of Sunday morning (3am), live on Sky Sports Arena.
"Everybody at shootaround this morning, the sense the feel, the understanding - no one wanted this thing to end," DeRozan said after the game.
"On our home floor, we understood what we had to come here and do. Win or go home, simple as that. Once you understand the meaning of that, you understand that every single second on that court matters. You don't want to walk off the court preparing for summer."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised DeRozan, who also contributed seven rebounds and seven assists, for his Game 6 performance. "DeMar had a fine game tonight," he said. "That's an intangible. There's no drill or rule for that. Play well and you keep the momentum."
Nuggets coach Mike Malone cited a specific play made by DeRozan at the end of the first half and said it represented the difference between the teams in Game 6.
The Spurs shooting guard was fouled by Nuggets forward Torrey Craig with 0.8 seconds left in the second quarter and went to the line. After converting his first free throw, his second was short and bounced off the front of the Spurs rim.
DeRozan followed his shot and, with the Nuggets defenders slow to react, beat Jamal Murray to claim the rebound before forcing a shot up before the buzzer sounded. It dropped through the net, sending the Spurs into half-time with a 64-60 lead.
"The one play that sticks out to me that's a microcosm of this game: 0.8 seconds to go, second quarter, free throw and we're standing," said Malone. "DeMar DeRozan misses, no one boxes him out, he grabs [the rebound] and lays it in."
The series now moves back to Denver for a winner-takes-all Game 7 with the victor advancing to meet the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference semi-finals.
DeRozan was fully focused when asked about the Spurs' approach to the deciding game. "Now it's time for us to go back on the road and close this thing up," he said. "They've been great at throwing a punch and running away with it. Whatever they do, we have to match them."
Game 7 takes place in Denver in the early hours of Sunday morning (3am) - watch live on Sky Sports Arena.
