DeRozan credits Popovich's 'calm' demeanor for Game 6 win
Despite being on the brink of elimination, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich created a relaxed environment ahead of Thursday's 120-103 win over the Denver Nuggets to force a Game 7.
"He always has a calm to him," Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan said of Popovich, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "It wears off on us. ... We understood what we had to come in here and do tonight. Wasn't much (that) needed to be said."
DeRozan has put his playoff struggles behind him so far during his first year with the Spurs, finishing with 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in Thursday's win. The 29-year-old is averaging 22.5 points and 4.3 assists through six games while shooting a postseason career-best 52 percent from the field.
Popovich has led the Spurs to 22 consecutive playoff appearances, tying San Antonio with the Philadelphia 76ers for the most all time. The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are second among active teams with seven.
The Spurs and Nuggets will face off one more time on Saturday for an opportunity to take on the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference semifinals.