Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets, game 4 - First Half analysis
On Monday night, the Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder entered the Pepsi centre, hoping to clinch their first ever playoff series win, since the franchise moved from Seattle
to OKC. The Denver Nuggets on the other hand were playing for pride, hoping to postpone what seems to be an inevitable end to their postseason campaign – a first round exit – an end which they have suffered seven times in the last eight seasons.
With so much hanging on the line, the game got off to a nervy start. Both teams missed shots early on until Ty Lawson drove to the rim and got Denver on the board.
The Nuggets seemed up for this game and started brightly. They were the better team in the first quarter and ended it with a 26-20 lead. Although OKC seemed a little rusty, they still did not let Denver get too far ahead.
The 2nd quarter started in a similar vein and the Nuggets kept their lead for a while. Kevin Durant and Westbrook struggled from the field throughout the
first half, making 2-of-8 and 3-of-12 respectively. Despite that, OKC started to grow as the game progressed. Last game’s hero, Serge Ibaka was once again in his groove and Eric Maynor came off the bench to sustain the offense for the Thunder, who leveled
the score by the end of the second period at 45-45.
By the end of the first half, the Nuggets were led by Ty Lawson with 14 points while Kenyon Martin also pitched in with 11. Although the Nuggets have restricted the
free flowing game of the Thunder in the first 24 minutes, the Achilles tendon of the Bronchos has been their performance down the stretch. They have struggled late in the game throughout the series.
Denver needs 2 or 3 players to have a big game tonight, and someone to step up when the game, enters the final period. Although OKC’s stars have not really found
their rhythm in the first half but Denver have also failed to capitalize so far. The longer the scores stay close, the more chance OKC will have of ending the series tonight. The prospects are looking ominous for Denver at halftime.
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