NBA Playoffs 2011: OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Game 2 Analysis and Reaction
The Oklahoma City Thunder took a 2-0 series lead over the Denver Nuggets Tuesday night with a 106-89 victory at home.
The series now shifts to Denver for Games 3 and 4, and for Denver to return to Oklahoma City for a Game 5, they need to make some adjustments.
The Thunder were once again led by their superstar duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who combined for 44 points.
The OKC bench was also better than in Game 1. James Harden added 18 points and Nick Collison added 10.
After combining for seven points in Game 1, Thunder big men Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins combined for 19 points in the Game 2 victory.
Now let's look back at OKC's Game 2 victory and look ahead to Games 3 and 4 and discuss some adjustments Denver needs to make to get back in the series.
Game 2 Summary
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The Thunder got off to a fast start in Game 2, with Durant and Westbrook hitting some long-distance shots.
Russell Westbrook's energy was huge for the Thunder, and his aggressive offensive approach was too much for Denver to handle.
After one quarter, the Thunder had a 16 point lead, 31-15.
Denver responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Thunder 29-28 to cut the halftime lead to 15, 59-44.
In the third quarter, the Thunder regained the momentum, getting nice contributions from sixth man James Harden, who scored 16 points through three quarters while going 6-6 from the free-throw line.
OKC's defense was also quite impressive in the third quarter, with Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka making life difficult in the paint for the Nuggets.
OKC took a 15-point lead into the final quarter, 81-66.
After the Nuggets cut the Thunder lead to just 10 points with about eight minutes left in the game, Kevin Durant hit two big shots to push OKC's lead back to 14, and they never looked back.
The Thunder kept attacking offensively and earned a 106-89 win.
Game 2 Analysis: Denver's Offensive Troubles
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After scoring 103 points in Game 1, the Denver Nuggets could only muster 89 points in Game 2. The Nuggets got off to a very poor start, scoring just 15 points in the opening quarter.
One of the largest struggles for Denver in Game 1 was free-throw shooting, and in Game 2, the Nuggets shot 75 percent as opposed to making just 50 percent from the line in the opener.
A problem for Denver is they do not have a go-to scorer anymore without Carmelo Anthony, so they have to ride the hot hand.
Denver has plenty of players who can give them 10-plus points any night, so to win they need a collective effort offensively.
Danilo Gallinari scored just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting for Denver in Game 2, after an impressive 18-point Game 1 performance.
The Nuggets were able to get solid bench performances from Raymond Felton, who added 16 points, and Al Harrington, who added 15 points after scoring five points in just 11 minutes in Game 1.
Denver has offensive talent, but the uncertainty of where points will come from can be aggravating for the coaches and fans.
Game 2 Analysis: OKC Thunder Bench Play
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The Thunder relied heavily on their starters to earn a Game 1 victory, with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combining for 72 out of their 107 total points.
After scoring just five points on 1-of-5 shooting in Game 1, shooting guard James Harden added 18 points in 28 minutes.
Harden's scoring is a huge plus for OKC, who will need his offensive production of the bench. They cannot rely on Durant and Westbrook to score 70 points every night.
Veteran forward Nick Collison added 10 points and eight rebounds to his usual hustle and defense, an improvement over his Game 1 performance.
The Thunder have a lot of depth, so bench play will be a key reason for their success in the playoffs.
Harden has to be more consistent, however, because his good shooting stretches the floor for Durant and Westbrook to drive to the basket.
Game 3 Adjustments for Denver To Get Back in the Series
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- Shot Selection
The Denver Nuggets must take better shots in Game 3. Their shot selection has been poor in the first two games, as they have been taking too many contested shots from the outside.
Wilson Chandler must take better shots because his offense is key to the Nuggets.
- Better defense in the paint
Denver had only four blocks in Game 1 and just one block in Game 2. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were able to get to the rim and score rather easily against the Denver bigs. OKC also grabbed 24 offensive rebounds in the first two games.
- Better foul and three-point shooting for and against
Although not technically an adjustment, the Nuggets must shoot the ball better from the floor. But they also must make OKC work harder for their points.
OKC shot about 50 percent from the field in Game 1 and converted over 40 percent from three-point land in the first two games.
Denver has to shoot better from the outside, and playing at home may make those shots drop a bit easier and relieve some of the pressure.
Game 3 Adjustments for OKC To End the Series in Four Games
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- Be Consistent on both ends of the floor
The Thunder have played very well offensively in the first two games and improved defensively in Game 2 after allowing 103 points in Game 1.
Perkins and Ibaka did well defensively in the paint against Nuggets big men Nene and Kenyon Martin.
However, OKC has to be more consistent throughout the game. Several times in Game 2, they had a nice 15-plus point lead, but then allowed Denver to come back into the game.
These lapses are expected with a young team, but being consistent throughout the game will help OKC tremendously.
- The bench needs to score more
The Thunder bench will also need to be more consistent offensively. James Harden had a poor Game 1, but he bounced back in Game 2 with 18 points.
The Thunder need to use their solid bench to their advantage and not lose focus when they have big leads.
Can the Denver Nuggets Win without a True Go-to Player?
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With Carmelo Anthony being traded to the New York Knicks in February, the Nuggets lost their go-to scorer.
In return for Anthony, the Nuggets received several good players from New York. Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler came over from the Knicks, and each can score 10-plus points any given night.
But the uncertainty of who will carry the load on a given night can be worrisome for Nuggets coach George Karl.
Instead of depending on a consistent scorer like 'Melo, Karl must ride the hot hand of that night's best scorer and adjust his lineup and playing time accordingly.
This makes his job tougher and forces him to make adjustments on the fly.
The Nuggets have plenty of scoring, but they need several guys to contribute to win every night.
Who Should Start at Point Guard for Denver: Raymond Felton or Ty Lawson?
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Ty Lawson is the point guard of the future for Denver. He has exceptional speed and is an improved shooter.
In the Carmelo Anthony trade, Denver acquired veteran point guard Raymond Felton, who, like Lawson, excelled at the University of North Carolina.
Felton is the better passer and a better half-court player, but Lawson runs the floor better and is a bit better offensively.
Lawson's energy and athleticism is crucial for the Nuggets to get off to a solid start to games, so he should start at point guard.
Either way, both players can expect plenty of minutes, and Nuggets coach George Karl has played both Lawson and Felton at the same time with good success.
Is OKC'S Lack of Experience Going To Hurt Them in the Playoffs?
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The Thunder are the youngest team in the playoffs, and their two best players, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, are both just 22 years old.
The Thunder have a young core with Durant, Westbrook and sixth man James Harden.
Last year's six-game first-round series with the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers gave the Lakers a taste of playoff competition against an elite NBA team.
The Thunder are a confident team which are not easily rattled.
Determining whether a lack of experience will hurt them cannot happen until OKC makes it deep into the playoffs and faces pressure moments.
Right now they appear unfazed by the expectations to make a deep playoff run in 2011.
Prediction for the Rest of the Series
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The Thunder have too much firepower for Denver, which is still trying to find its identity after the Carmelo Anthony trade.
The Nuggets have done well since Anthony's departure, but they still don't look fluid as a group.
Denver has to shoot better from the outside and from the foul line to extend the series back to Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City will score a lot in the series and has many players who can step up offensively.
If Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins can play well defensively for OKC, and James Harden plays well off the bench, OKC will sweep the series and get some rest ahead of the second round.
For more coverage of this Thunder versus Nuggets series, read the keys to the series article.
