Do you think Derrick White likes playing the Nuggets?
The Colorado kid who played his college ball at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs before transferring to CU-Boulder for his senior year had been the best player through the first two games of the Spurs’ first-round series matchup against White’s hometown Nuggets. That trend continued in Game 3 as White scorched Denver for a career-high 36 points on 15-of-21 shooting to go with five rebounds and five assists and the Spurs topped the Nuggets 118-108 to take a 2-1 series lead.
White was sensational for a third-straight game as he dominated his point guard matchup with Jamal Murray, who struggled 48 hours after lifting the Nuggets to an improbable Game 2 win with 21 fourth-quarter points. Murray finished with six points on 2-6 shooting, one rebound, two assists and four turnovers. He struggled throughout the entire evening.
The Nuggets trailed 31-22 after the first quarter but a 21-5 run from Denver’s second unit that consisted of Monte Morris, Malik Beasley, Torrey Craig, Mason Plumlee and Murray gave Denver its first significant lead of the game. But the Nuggets’ starters couldn’t hold the advantage, a microcosm of how Game 3 went.
Nikola Jokic added 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Nuggets. Denver’s second unit backcourt of Morris and Beasley, which could get more run in a Game 4 on Thursday, combined for 27 points off the Nuggets’ bench.
Game 4 is Thursday in San Antonio where Denver will try to break a no 14-game losing streak.
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Game 4 in San Antonio, down 2-1 in the series, is a lower risk opportunity to make personnel adjustments since the small ball lineup against the Spurs has had consistent difficulties in guarding Derrick White. Due to Juancho’s skill set and his definite impact in helping the team earlier in the season as stated by Coach Malone, I think Juancho deserves and has earned an opportunity to have some playing time in Game 4 at small forward. His energy and length could disrupt the comfort level that White has had in consistently shooting over our smaller guards. Beasley is playing very well, but most of his needed minutes should not be at small forward against the taller Spurs. I do not buy the Youth Excuse–Denver is more talented than the Spurs–One of Denver’s unique strengths is that it has a deep and versatile roster that can match up in many effective ways based upon the opponent. Disrupt White, Shoot Better 3’s and the Nuggets will win this series. Enter The Juancho.