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It’s a tale of two very different games: the Nuggets clawing back in Game 1 with the quiet authority of a team comfortable on the mountaintop, and the Thunder exploding in Game 2, unleashing youthful fury that no seasoned roster can ignore. Now, as this Western Conference showdown heads back to Denver’s altitude-rich fortress, the question looms large—who really holds the edge when the air gets thin, the crowd gets loud, and every possession seems to echo a little louder? With the series knotted at one apiece, Game 3 isn’t just another basketball game; it’s where strategy, stamina, and mental grit collide under pressure hotter than the Colorado sun. Can the Nuggets’ experience and home cooking reassert control? Or will the Thunder’s relentless energy and tactical tweaks keep their road trip rolling? Spoiler: the nuances—everything from how one giant like Jokic is stretched across the floor, to the Thunder’s bench performance, to an obscure but brilliant defensive tactic called “flipping the court”—may well decide who steps closer to the conference finals. Buckle up, because this playoff chess match just flipped the board and now each move counts double. LEARN MORE.

The Nuggets rallied for an impressive Game 1 win; the Thunder won big in Game 2. Who has the advantage heading back to Denver in the second round of the NBA playoffs?

Now, the real chess match begins with a critical Game 3.

With the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets tied, the battleground for the next two games shifts to the Mile High City, where altitude, crowd noise and routine give the Nuggets one of the league’s true home-court advantages.

Each team has won in dramatically different fashion: Denver’s Game 1 comeback showed the composure of a team that’s been to the mountaintop, while Oklahoma City’s Game 2 demolition was a blueprint in how youth and urgency can smother even the most experienced rosters.

Game 1 was a grind. Nikola Jokic put up a 42/22/6 line, Aaron Gordon delivered a 3 in the final seconds and the Thunder unraveled late despite leading by 11 with under five minutes to play.

In contrast, Game 2 was a haymaker. The Thunder dropped 87 points in the first half – an all-time playoff record – behind a master class from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and strong bench play.

As the Western Conference semifinal resets to Denver, the focus shifts to execution under pressure. Can Denver reassert control through structure? Can the Thunder bring their force to the road and string together stops?

The spacing adjustments of Mark Daigneault’s team paid off in Game 2. Pulling Jokic away from the rim opened driving lanes for SGA and kick-out 3-pointers. Denver tried multiple defensive coverages, including zone, where it had some success in Game 1. But the Thunder found ways to puncture it, often with smart relocation, decisive passing and deep spacing that forced Denver into difficult closeouts.

Such improved offensive performance against the zone provides the Thunder with another lever to pull from, especially if Denver leans on that defense to protect foul-prone lineups or buy rest for Jokic. The Thunder, meanwhile, haven’t been aggressive in doubling Jokic, but they’ve consistently shown early help and forced him to operate in a crowd. The goal is to shrink his vision and make him play through bodies – sometimes even before the catch.

That strategy worked well in Game 2, but Denver’s supporting cast tends to play better at home. Daigneault may need to adjust the time and rotation of the Thunder’s help principles to avoid giving up rhythm 3s and keeping Jokic off balance.

Game 2 showed OKC’s depth is a real weapon. Now the Thunder must prove they can weather momentum swings on the road.

No Adjustment Too Small

A subtle but telling glimpse into how OKC handles variability can be traced back to a tactic known as “flipping the court” – when a team opts to defend in front of its own bench in the first half rather than the second. It’s a decision the road team controls, though few regularly use it.

The San Antonio Spurs, under Gregg Popovich, made it a staple, and teams connected to his coaching tree have adopted it in turn. In Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference finals, it was the Golden State Warriors – not previously known for using the tactic under Steve Kerr – who made the decision. Facing a raucous Thunder crowd and needing a win to force a Game 7, the Warriors flipped the court to play defense in front of their bench early.

That subtle adjustment, combined with their second-half poise and precision, left a lasting impression on then-Thunder assistant Mark Daigneault. He saw how a minor structural shift could help a team steady itself in chaos.

Since becoming a head coach, Daigneault has leaned into that idea – occasionally flipping the court himself, and more broadly, challenging his team with altered environments so it’s always ready to adjust. The Thunder’s ability to stay composed through changing matchups and game flow reflects that foundation, and it also underscores Popovich’s enduring imprint on how the game is coached.

On Denver’s side, the adjustments are less available, and the curiosity lies in how interim head coach David Adelman navigates the moment. This is his first postseason at the helm, and with the Thunder showing their willingness to change coverages and schemes throughout games, how he responds – especially in tight moments – will matter.

Expect Oklahoma City to continue to try to pull Jokic into space and test his lateral movement in high pick-and-rolls. Adelman will need to find ways to limit the All-Star center’s defensive exposure. But even that won’t be enough without help around the edges.

Denver’s depth is a known concern, and the burden Jokic is carrying – not just to produce, but to orchestrate every possession – has begun to show. He’s still putting up numbers, but it’s the mental toll that stands out. Every possession matters, every mistake feels amplified, and with inconsistent contributions around him, that weight grows heavier.

Adelman must find ways to insulate him, not only by surviving non-Jokic minutes, but by getting real production from the supporting cast. Whether it’s Gordon facilitating in the middle of possessions, Braun as a live-wire cutter, or Porter as a spacer with decisiveness, Game 3 is when Denver must shift the tone and put pressure back on OKC.

Chet Holmgren remains a swing piece: He fouled out in Game 1 and followed with a double-double in Game 2. Denver will continue to test his frame and decision-making.

Gordon, the Game 1 hero, was overwhelmed in Game 2. He sets Denver’s defensive tone.

OKC’s bench – namely Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins – was outstanding in Game 2. If those players maintain that level on the road, it’s a major advantage.

What Will Turn the Tide?

There are three things to watch closely in Game 3.

First, the opening six minutes. In playoff basketball, early tone-setting can tilt the emotional and tactical balance, especially in a new environment.

Second, how OKC challenges Jokic defensively. The Thunder will likely test him in space with more 1-on-1, forcing him to defend without fouling.

And third, how Adelman can generate clean looks for Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. If Denver is going to open the floor, it starts with those two finding rhythm. Murray’s two-man game with Jokic remains a constant, but they need to find easier, earlier touches for Porter – especially against a Thunder defense that closes space quickly in rotation. Adelman’s ability to make those reads could shape the series.

We’ve seen what both teams can do. Now it’s about who can adjust, execute and endure. Denver has the experience. OKC has the legs.

The next two games will reveal who’s more adaptable – and more composed – when it matters the most.

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