The Nuggets have a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Suns tonight in Game 2 of their second-round series. What are Denver’s keys to victory and who’s the Nuggets’ X-factor tonight? Also, what adjustments are coming from Phoenix? DNVR Nuggets discusses.
What adjustment are you expecting Phoenix to make tonight in Game 2?
Adam Mares: I made a video breakdown of game one that points out a few key areas that I expect Phoenix to adjust in game two that you can watch here. The most impactful change will likely be Phoenix trying to attack more quickly in isolation when they get the switch that they want. In game one, the Suns waited for the late-arriving double team and then tried to attack through ball movement. In game two, I suspect that both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker look to attack quicker to avoid the double team. It sounds like a simple adjustment but the Nuggets executed at a high level in game one in part because the Suns allowed Denver to make slow reads on that end of the court.
Harrison Wind: The Suns have to shoot more 3s. They’re losing the match problem right now and won’t win this series if they don’t let it fly more from beyond the arc with how good of a shooting team the Nuggets are. Kevin Durant only shot three 3-pointers in Game 1. Devin Booker only shot one. One(!). How is that possible? Those two especially have to get up more 3-pointers tonight. I’m also expecting Damion Lee to play more in Game 2. Phoenix went to Lee late in Game 1 and he’s a solid two-way player who can play a role in the series.
Brendan Vogt: Phoenix is limited in potential adjustments as a severely top-heavy team. They’re already playing their best players as much as they can. The stars have the ball every possession. They’re still on the losing end of a math battle. The Suns need to get more threes up, but their best shooting role players look unplayable early in the series. They might swap Torrey Craig back into the starting lineup. Okogie didn’t phase Jamal Murray, and Craig knocked down some big shots in round one. They might need another playmaker in the rotation as well. Some Suns fans are clamoring for Cam Payne. That said, if Craig and Payne are the potential fixes, the problem is significant.
What do the Nuggets need to do well to go up 2-0 in the series?
Mares: Continue to play low-mistake defense. I am as confident as ever that the Nuggets can score against this Suns team. They lack the versatility, depth, and size to stop Denver’s startling lineup and those problems only get worse as the Suns start to rotate their bench players into the game. But the Nuggets won easy in game one because of their defense. If they can remain locked in on that end of the court, a 2-0 lead should be in their future.
Wind: I love the composed and contained defensive approach Denver played with in Game 1. It was the perfect defensive game plan installed by Michael Malone. You’re not going to completely shut down Kevin Durant or Devin Booker, you just have to make it difficult. That’s what the Nuggets did in Game 1. Another key from Game 1 is that the Nuggets stayed out of foul trouble. Only one Nuggets player recorded four or more fouls. A repeat defensive performance tonight and Denver will lead this series 2-0.
Vogt: More of the same. Stay aggressive in pick-and-roll coverage when KD or Booker initiate. Make them grind to get to their spots in the mid-range. Continue to get threes up. The second chance points are one area Denver can clean up from game one. They rebounded well yet left a lot on the board. If they’re in the mood to be merciless, that’s a battleground where they could further separate.
Who’s Denver’s X-factor in Game 2?
Mares: Michael Porter Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
I think the Suns are going to try to get the ball out of Murray’s hands in game two. I think Aaron Gordon’s size advantage in game one will be consistent throughout the series. So that means there should be more open shots for the TLA crew of MPJ and KCP. Both guys shot more or less average in game one but I think they will get more, better looks in game two. If they knock them down, expect another high-scoring output from the Nuggets.
Wind: Michael Porter Jr.
I predict the Suns target him more defensively in Game 2 than they did in Game 1, try to get him into foul trouble, and attempt to force Denver off its preferred rotation. Porter played a good defensive game in Game 1 and he’s got to bring that same mentality and level of play tonight. Offensively, the Nuggets could use a couple more triples from him too. But I did love how he attacked the basket and how aggressively he’s played throughout most of these playoffs.
Vogt: Aaron Gordon
Gordon made a world of difference in game one. He did a good job defensively, all things considered, and punished the Suns for their disinterest on the other end. Phoenix can’t guard Denver’s bread-and-butter actions without giving something up. They decided to leave Gordon open, allowing KD to roam and help. Those same opportunities should be there in game two. They can only do so much if he converts.
