The Denver Nuggets Have Three Efficient Ways To Conquer The Suns
The Denver Nuggets hold a 2-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns in round two. Denver has managed to handle the star power that Phoenix has. Denver shot the lights out in game one and beat the Suns in every way winning 125-107. While game two was much closer, Denver held Kevin Durant to 2-12 from three-point range which was helpful and Phoenix being without Chris Paul helped as well. Devin Booker led the Suns with 35 points but the Nuggets made the clutch plays late and won 97-87.
So where do we go from here? Denver leads the series 2-0 as we head to Phoenix for games three and four. With Chris Paul likely out with a groin injury, this could be an open door for Denver to steal a game in Phoenix. That being said, let’s discuss three ways the Nuggets can conquer the Suns and potentially win the series.
Jamal Murray vs Backup Guards
With Chris Paul supposedly being out for games three through five, Jamal Murray needs to active playoff mode. Unless Devin Booker or Josh Okogie guards Murray, he will be matched up with either Landry Shamet or Cameron Payne.
Murray was a key piece in the game one win as he finished with 34 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. Game two was a struggle for Murray despite no Chris Paul for most of the game as he finished with only ten points on 3-15 shooting from the field and 0-9 from three-point range.
If the Nuggets want to steal at least one game in Phoenix, Jamal Murray has to tap in to the level of play we saw in the bubble from 2020 and game one of this series. Murray is leader of this offense behind Jokic and he needs to take advantage of his matchups for the next couple of games. Shame and Payne cannot stay in front of Murray all game and he has the chance to light up the scoreboard, make it happen Jamal.
Nuggets Must Continue Dominating The Boards
The Denver Nuggets won 53 games in the regular season leading the West. Out of those 53 wins, the Nuggets out-rebounded their opponent in 45 of them. Denver is also now 6-0 this postseason when they out-rebound their opponents. Nikola Jokic alone has 35 rebounds through the first two games of this series. So the big message here? Denver has to continue out-rebounding Phoenix.
Denver has made it a big part of their identity that getting extra rebounds leads to more possessions and more ways to beat an opponent. When you are facing a star-studded team like Phoenix, every possession counts. Getting on the boards has allowed to Denver to basically outmaneuver the Suns and beat them the old fashioned way. If Denver can continue out-rebounded Phoenix, this series looks promising for the Nuggs.
Get Aaron Gordon, KCP And Bruce Brown Active
The two biggest offseason moves for the Nuggets has to be the acquisition of Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP provides elite defense and efficient three-point shooting. Bruce Brown provides solid scoring off the bench and can run the offense while Murray or Jokic are resting. Both are scoring around 10-15 points when they are getting the ball. Denver also has to be grateful for the role that Aaron Gordon has taken as a hidden gem scorer as well.
While they might not be the main scoring threats, having three extra players that can handle the ball and score when needed is key. KCP provided a huge spark in game two scoring 14 points on a perfect 4-4 shooting from three-point range. Aaron Gordon also pitched in 23 points in game one and 16 points in game two.
Denver struggled with depth in recent seasons but now they have depth and solid role players around Murray and Jokic. Aaron Gordon can score 20-25 every night if needed. Keeping KCP and Brown active in the offense as well will take Denver a long way in this years playoffs.
Final Thoughts
Should the Denver Nuggets feel good about being up 2-0? Yes absolutely. However, the Phoenix Suns are not going to go down quietly. With the star power of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant as well as Deandre Ayton, Phoenix is not done yet. Denver has to win at least one in Phoenix and they will set this up for a game five in Denver to try and close it out.