Three Reasons the Nuggets will Win Game Three
Can the Nuggets win Game Three of their first round series against the Lakers? You’re damn right they can. Read how here.
After back to back beatings in Tinseltown at the hands of the Lakers, the Nuggets’ backs are against the wall.
Tonight’s Game Three will prove pivotal as Denver would go down 3-0 if they were to lose, or bring the series closer to even at 2-1 with a win.
The Nuggets need tonight’s game in the worst way—a loss almost guarantees they’ll be golfing Monday.
Here’s three reasons why the Mile High crew will win Game Three.
1. George Karl will finally play his best players together
Karl’s as stubborn as a mule, especially when discussing his lineup choices, which have been suspect all season long and even more so in the playoffs.
Karl can’t start Kosta Koufos again, not after his averaging one point and five rebounds in the first two games in LA.
Yes, Koufos has the size to match up with Andrew Bynum, but he doesn’t have the skill or athletic ability.
JaVale McGee, on the other hand, has height, athleticism and the killer instinct the Nuggets need to win.
In 24 minutes Tuesday, McGee scored five with nine boards and six big-time blocks. Not Bynum numbers, but close.
Also, Karl’s got to stop playing Andre Miller—who really struggled in Game Two—so much.
2. Denver’s offense will finally click
The Nuggets were the No. 1 scoring offense in basketball all season, but we’ve yet to see that prolific machine in action in the postseason.
After looking completely out of sorts in Game One, scoring a mere 14 in the first and 88 all night long, the Nuggs bounced back and lost by only four (104-100) in Game Two.
Denver played more like they’re capable of on offense, getting out on the break for 30 points.
Tonight, they’ll have to be even better in transition, capitalizing on missed shots and the mile high altitude that will wind the Lakers of Los Angeles.
When Denver runs like wild—led by Ty Lawson—they will wear down LA’s older players and run up the score.
Beyond the fast break though, the Nuggets’ shooters—Arron Afflalo, Danilo Gallinari and Al Harrington—have to come through and hit open jumpers when they find them. The Nuggs are a terrible 24.2 percent from beyond the arc this series, that number must improve if they want to earn some victories.
Gallinari was supposed to go off this series, without Ron Artest’s physical defense, so look for him to light up the scoreboard at Pepsi Center.
3. Heart
Game Three will be a true test of whether or not the Nuggets have heart.
Denver could roll over and quit, but I suspect they’ll show lots of heart tonight.
Why?
While Karl’s Nuggets have made it out of the first round once once, they’ve never been swept in the eight seasons prior. Karl won’t let his team lose in four straight games, even if that means he has to swallow some pride and admit his previous lineups were bunk.
Another all-important Nugget has already proven he has heart, as Ty Lawson put his team on his back last year in Game Four against the Thunder, scoring 27 points with three rebounds and assists each. Lawson knows he’s become a leader on the team and he’ll want to show lots of heart again. This time a game earlier, which will give his team a chance to come back in the series.
Denver hasn’t led for a single second of the series so far and it will be important for them to get out to a quick start and early lead, showing the Lakers the Pepsi Center is their home court.
The game tips off at 8:30 p.m. MT.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist. Follow him on twitter and/or facebook for links to articles, interesting retweets and need-to-know info on everything Colorado sports.
