Nuggets vs. Jazz: Game 3 preview
By Evan Siegel
The Denver Nuggets are preparing for the all important game 3 vs. the Utah Jazz.
The Denver Nuggets survived a 57-point onslaught from Donovan Mitchell in game one to take a 1-0 series lead. The Jazz responded with a vengeance in game two and evened up the series at one, stripping Denver of the opportunity to take the bull by the horns and grab a commanding 2-0 lead.
The Nuggets are technically on the road this time around, “traveling” to Utah for a game that will determine the balance of power in the series. The Nuggets will potentially be facing a challenge they had yet to face at any point, as Mike Conley has returned to the bubble and will play the rest of the series.
The Nuggets are coming off a miserable performance from Paul Millsap, who registered just five points and was a -13 for the game. The performance further cements the improbability that Millsap remains in Denver beyond this season, as his play and relevance has dissipated further and further over the course of the season, especially in the bubble.
The Nuggets remain one of the couple favorites to advance deep into the playoffs but are currently facing a player who has scored 87 points in two playoff games in Donovan Mitchell. Jamal Murray matched him stride for stride in game two, but Mitchell’s brilliance is continuing to cause problems for an overwhelmed Nuggets defense.
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To this point in the series, the team has relied on Torrey Craig and Murray as the primary defenders against Mitchell, but the team ought to consider giving Jerami Grant a try on him. Grant has tremendous length at 6”8 with a wingspan of 7”3, and the team can survive without Grant defending Royce O’Neale.
Game three tips off at 4:00 P.M. ET.