Nuggets have 'tremendous' focus while waiting for NBA Finals opponent

The Denver Nuggets will finally know their opponent in the 2023 NBA Finals. 

Whether they match up with the Boston Celtics or Miami Heat doesn't seem to matter much to them, though. Both teams will present challenges as well as opportunities, but according to head coach Michael Malone, right now the only challenge is staying in playoff mode while the team waits.

"It's definitely been a challenge," Malone said, per ESPN. "... All the practices leading into [Sunday's off day] were about us with a real heavy emphasis on conditioning, pace, purpose and just working on all the things that we need to. And then today we started working on things that both Miami and Boston [do] that we need to be prepared for both offensively and defensively."

Denver hasn't played since May 22 when the Nuggets eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers in sweeping fashion in the Western Conference Finals.

As Malone mentioned, one would think that the issue for Denver moving forward will be staying red-hot and locked in. With that said, shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is liking what he sees out of his teammates as they tread water and wait.

"I'm surprised, our focus is tremendous," Caldwell-Pope said. "Even though we had this long period of time off, everybody still has the same mindset. They haven't faded away. Everybody still has the same energy, they're just ready to play. Feeling a little antsy. I am just ready to get out there."

Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has led the Nuggets in the playoffs with 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game. Point guard Jamal Murray averaged 32.5 points per game against the Lakers.