How will the Nuggets stop Russell Westbrook and Paul George?
If they can figure it out, other teams will surely be taking notes. The two-headed monster at the head of the Thunder has given defenses fits all season.
Westbrook, the former MVP, is having a down year. He’s still averaging a triple-double with 22.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 11 assists per game.
George, an MVP candidate this year, is averaging 28.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists while acting as the Thunder’s go-to option.
Just two games ago, both topped 40 points in a double-overtime win against the Jazz.
So how to the Nuggets stop them?
The honest answer: they don’t. The best they can do is hope to hold them at bay.
Having Gary Harris back will be helpful in trying to check Russ. Torrey Craig may also see more minutes after having success guarding him in the past.
Westbrook is known for being able to get to the basket and finish through contact. But he’s also known for hucking up bad pull-up 3’s in transition — part of why he’s shooting just 26.8 percent from deep this year.
He has been making more shots lately, but is still inconsistent.
George is a different story. He’s having a career year and getting Westbrook to defer to him in a way Westbrook has never done before.
Plus, the Nuggets don’t have a player that matches up great against him on defense. Millsap will most likely draw most of the responsibility but might have a hard time keeping up with him on the perimeter.
At 6’7, Torrey Craig is likely too small to matchup against George, especially in the post.
He’s went off for 24 and 32 points in two matchups against the Nuggets so far — but both came in losses for the Thunder.
Denver hopes to have similar success Tuesday.