Down 0-1, Michael Malone implores Nuggets to set the tone early - ESPN

DENVER — On the way to the championship last season, the Denver Nuggets also picked up the unofficial title as having the best starting five in basketball. Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said as much before his team's 106-99 Game 1 victory Saturday, calling the Nuggets' first unit «probably the most complete and complementary starting five in the league.»

But Denver's starters haven't been getting off to great starts this postseason and Nuggets coach Michael Malone said that needs to change.

«We have to do a better job, our starters in particular, have to do a better job of being ready to play and setting the tone early,» Malone said after the Nuggets' film session on Sunday. «What are we waiting for? I mean, now we're down 0-1, what are you waiting for?»

In the Nuggets' first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, they were outscored in the first quarter in four of the five games and were -23 in the quarter overall for the series.

In the first quarter of Game 1 to start their second-round series against Minnesota, the Nuggets actually outscored the Wolves 25-23, but only after falling down 18-4 and needing to expend energy to rally back into it.

«I talked to our players this morning about how for five games against the Lakers, we were down [virtually] every first quarter,» Malone said. «So, do I believe that our guys are fully ready to give whatever it takes to try to defend our title? Of course I do. But at some point, man, you got to stop doing the same thing.»

One of the Nuggets to get off to an underwhelming start against Minnesota was point guard Jamal Murray. After coming into the game questionable because of a left calf strain that he suffered against the Lakers, Murray was scoreless in the first