The Denver Nuggets can learn from game 3 of the NBA finals
The Denver Nuggets can learn from the Toronto Raptors game 3 win over the Dubs.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals had many valuable lessons and takeaways that the Denver Nuggets can learn from as they prepare for next season.
The Oracle Arena is a notoriously hard place to win in in the playoffs and NBA finals. In fact, the game 3 loss at Oracle Arena is the first the Dubs have experience in the NBA Finals since Game 7 of the 2016 NBA finals.
This is also only the third loss the Dubs have experience at home this postseason.
The Warriors without two of their all-stars(Klay, KD, Curry, or Draymond) in the lineup are still 16-14. That is a pretty good record. That is a better winning percentage than the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magics. The Warriors are still good enough to be a playoff team without two of their All-Stars in their lineup.
The Raptors, despite the talent on their team, do not feature two All-stars in their lineup. Moreover, neither do the Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers. These teams are able to win without being loaded with high-end talent.
Stephen Curry also dropped 47 points. With Klay Thompson in the lineup, curry would have scored fewer points. The splash brothers would have to dropped over 60 points combined to win the game. So far, combined, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry are averaging only 48 combined points per game in the playoffs.
The Raptors were also incredibly efficient in game 3. In fact, they are the 3rd team in NBA Finals history to shoot 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free throw line for an entire game.
The Raptors are the 3rd team in Finals history to shoot 50% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the free throw line, joining the Warriors in 2017 and the Celtics in 1986. pic.twitter.com/fQEVeWrMsk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 6, 2019
The other two teams were the Warriors with KD in 2017 and the Celtics with Larry Bird.
The Warriors now will have to win the next four games to close the series out in 6 game. Likely this series will go 7 games, and the game 7 will be in Toronto.
This series so far has shown Nugget fans how injuries can impact a team’s chances of winning.
However, so far, the Warriors have been able to weather the storm because of the depth and talent on their side.
The Nuggets should definitely continue to build the depth on their roster in case they end up in a similar situation next season.