The Denver Nuggets’ recent win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA playoffs was a thrilling overtime slugfest. Despite their 113-104 victory, some areas of concern were evident. Here are some key takeaways
Defensive vulnerabilities: The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blamed himself for the late-game offense struggles, but the Nuggets’ defensive rating ranked 18th in the league at 113.7, indicating room for improvement.
Bench scoring inconsistency: The Nuggets ranked 27th in bench points, highlighting the disparity in production from their reserves compared to their starters.
Lack of depth: The team’s inability to secure reliable backup options, particularly in the frontcourt, has been a persistent issue. Players like Zeke Nnaji and DeAndre Jordan haven’t consistently delivered.
It’s worth noting that the NBA admitted to a blown call in a previous game against the Charlotte Hornets, but there’s no mention of specific mistakes in the latest game against the Thunder. However, the Nuggets’ front office has faced criticism for past decisions, such as not making significant moves at the trade deadline to bolster their roster.