Three keys for Nuggets to overcome Thunder in Game 7

Heading into Sunday, the Denver Nuggets are dealing with a win-or-go-home state of affairs. David Adelman’s staff will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. So some distance, the sequence has been flippantly cut up, with each and every staff successful 3 video games apiece. 

While Adelman is green in high-leverage postseason basketball, he can draw on Denver’s championship revel in to lend a hand navigate what’s going to be a tricky struggle between two elite groups.

Here are 3 keys to the Nuggets reserving their spot within the Western Conference Finals. 

No. 1: Get Russell Westbrook going early

He will not be an MVP-caliber participant anymore, however Russell Westbrook can nonetheless swing the tide of a sport. Denver must to find techniques to get the coast-to-coast megastar going early and frequently, permitting him to dictate the pace 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 occupation, however he can indisputably dictate the phrases of engagement. 

No. 2: Shut down the remainder 

There’s no level seeking to close down or comprise Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s too excellent. The better choice is to restrict his retailers. If you’ll close down the supporting solid, SGA can be compelled to shoulder the burden of expectancies. This Thunder staff, whilst spectacular, remains to be proving itself in do-or-die scenarios. The Nuggets must bait SGA into enjoying hero ball, understanding that he cannot win the sport on his personal.

No. 3: Feed Nikola Jokic at each and every flip

It does not topic if it is within the put up, at the perimeter or across the dunker spot, Nikola Jokic could make one thing occur. He’s an elite playmaker and scorer. There should not be a unmarried ownership (whilst he is at the ground) the place the ball does not contact his palms. If Jokic is authorized to quarterback the offense from other units and movements, he’s going to liberate the remainder of his teammates. Jokic remains to be the most productive participant on the earth. Leaning on him in a high-intensity sport must be a no brainer.