2011 NBA Playoffs Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 3

Games 1 and 2 of this series have both gone to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are in control of the series and are looking to put the Denver Nuggets against the wall.

The Nuggets are looking to prove they can hang with the white-hot Thunder squad. Denver is facing a must win game and Game 3 should be another good one. Read on to see how Game 3 will turn out.

How the Second Game Was Won

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 20: James Harden #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks the ball against J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2011 at the Ford Center in Okl

The Thunder, once again, got great production from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. They combined to score 44 points. When their production was coupled with 37 bench points, the Thunder were very good offensively.

Denver struggled early and was outscored by 16 in the first period. Wilson Chandler has struggled mightily in the first two games and had four points in Game 2. Denver allowed 106 points and didn't score more than 90.

The Thunder also had 17 offensive rebounds and 18 points off turnovers. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Keys to a Game 3 Win

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 20: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a basket against the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2011 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City,

The Thunder have played exceptional throughout the series and they have dictated the two previous games. The Thunder have been better defensively and they shut the Nuggets down in Game 2, only allowing 89 points. If the Thunder give up less then 100 points, then they will have a great chance to win.

Durant and Westbrook need to keep up the production and the bench needs to play like they did in Game 2. If Harden and Maynor can score reliably, the Thunder will be tough to beat.

Denver Nuggets: Keys to a Game 3 Win

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 20: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looses control of the ball against Nene Hilario #31 \and Raymond Felton #20 both of the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Play

The Nuggets looked sluggish in Game 2 and they need a spark in order to win Game 3. That spark could come as J.R. Smith. Smith hasn't had a great series so far but he can turn it on at any time.

The Nuggets really need to focus on the defensive end of the game, they have been giving up 106.5 points per game. There is not way the Nuggets can beat the Thunder if they are giving up that many points per game. Durant and Westbrook  alone have combined to average 58 points per game.

Also, the Nuggets need more production from Wilson Chandler. So far, Chandler has scored a total of 13 points in the series. Chandler averaged 15.3 points in the regular season and hasn't even scored 15 total points in the series.

Who Will Win Game 3

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 20: Ty Lawson #3 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against Kendrick Perkins #5 and Russell Westbrook #0 both of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on Ap

The Thunder dominated Game 2 and I see no reason why their dominance will cease. Even though Game 3 is in Denver, the Thunder should come out strong and the combination of Durant and Westbrook will provide to be too much for the Nuggets.

Thunder win 103-94.