Well, game one is over and the Nuggets are looking up hill after a tough 105-103 to L.A. last night at Staples Center. The Nuggets controlled and lead the majority of the game. This is what I think caused the Nuggets to lose this game.
1. Missed free throws. I’m sorry, but when Chauncey Billups, Mr. Big shot himself, misses tree free throws in a row you know it’s not looking good. It seems to me that when one player starts missing, they all start missing and they also can make all of them. Missing 12 total free throws in a western conference playoff game is inexcusable and cannot happen again in the playoffs. Free throws are key and were a major factor in the loss Tuesday night.
2. Giving up the 3 ball. They game the Lakers too many open 3-point shots and L.A. made them. The rotation at times was poor which lead to the wide open 3’s that the Lakers knocked down with ease. A key adjustment for game 2 will be rotation and covering the guy outside the 3-point line.
3. Kobe. He went off in the 4th quarter and no one could stop him. Melo did a great job at some points against Kobe, but Kobe will be Kobe and if he wants to score, he will score. Dante Jones did okay on him in the game, but really didn’t get in his head like he did with Chris Paul in round 1.
Being more aggressive will be key in game 2. Nene and Kenyon shut down the bigs of L.A. and if they play that way against them in game 2, make the adjustments to fix the problems I listed above, the Nuggets will win game 2. The Nuggets came out with a lot of energy and was definitely more active in the first quarter and got out to a big lead. A small let down and missed opportunities lead to the tough loss.
What do you guys thing? What should the Nuggets do to play better in game 2? Let me know!
Game Note:
J.R. Smith has a sprained knee and is day to day right now after a collision at the end of the game when trying to rebound his own missed free throw.
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