Heading into Sunday, the Denver Nuggets are going through a win-or-go-home scenario. David Adelman’s crew will face the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in Sport 7 of the Western Convention semifinals. Up to now, the collection has been evenly break up, with every crew profitable three video games apiece.
Whereas Adelman is inexperienced in high-leverage postseason basketball, he can draw on Denver’s championship expertise to assist navigate what will likely be a troublesome battle between two elite groups.
Listed here are three keys to the Nuggets reserving their spot within the Western Convention Finals.
No. 1: Get Russell Westbrook going early
He won’t be an MVP-caliber participant anymore, however Russell Westbrook can nonetheless swing the tide of a sport. Denver ought to discover methods to get the coast-to-coast star going early and infrequently, permitting him to dictate the tempo of the sport and create out of his drives to the rim. Westbrook is not going to hold an offense at this level in his profession, however he can definitely dictate the phrases of engagement.
No. 2: Shut down the remaining
There isn’t any level attempting to close down or comprise Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is too good. The higher possibility is to restrict his retailers. In the event you can shut down the supporting solid, SGA will likely be pressured to shoulder the load of expectations. This Thunder crew, whereas spectacular, remains to be proving itself in do-or-die conditions. The Nuggets ought to bait SGA into taking part in hero ball, understanding that he cannot win the sport on his personal.
No. 3: Feed Nikola Jokic at each flip
It does not matter if it is within the publish, on the perimeter or across the dunker spot, Nikola Jokic could make one thing occur. He is an elite playmaker and scorer. There should not be a single possession (whereas he is on the ground) the place the ball does not contact his fingers. If Jokic is allowed to quarterback the offense from completely different units and actions, he’ll unlock the remainder of his teammates. Jokic remains to be the most effective participant on the planet. Leaning on him in a high-intensity sport must be a no brainer.
