Nuggets vs. Thunder: Game 1 Thoughts

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Sunday night. Both teams played exceptional basketball in most areas, but the home team prevailed late in the game thanks to some clutch shots and an obvious missed call by the officials.

The Nuggets led by one late in the game. Russell Westbrook then took a contested mid-range shot that rattled around on the rim and was tipped in while it was still on the rim. Replays confirmed what was apparent to the naked eye and most of the Nugget players: that the call should have been offensive basket interference. The referees also called an unfortunate technical on Raymond Felton earlier in the quarter.

Nevertheless, the Nuggets, trailing by three, still had a chance to come back with over twenty seconds left in the game. It would have certainly been advisable to only shoot a three if not contested and go for a quick two-pointer otherwise, but Felton missed most of the basket on a rushed shot with the Thunder defender up in his grill. Poor execution combined with a terrible call doomed the Nuggets after making a ferocious run to gain the lead late in the game.

The Nuggets would have had a more substantial lead late in the game if it wasn't for some poor free-throw shooting throughout. It seemed as though every Denver player missed a few freebies, and improving in this specific area is a must in the upcoming playoff matches. Arron Afflalo's eventual return will certainly help defend against Russell Westbrook who, call or no call, was the Nuggets' downfall late in the game. Fastbreaking and a keen defensive concentration on Westbrook and Kevin Durant could be keys to the Nuggets for the rest of the series. The Thunder will eventually need to rely on other offensive threats than their two stars, and George Karl may roll with a strategy to give open shots to other Thunder players who may not be as offensively efficient as Westrbrook and Durant.