Game 3, Round 2 : Denver Nuggets #1 @ Phoenix Suns #4 (2-0)

[THE J0KER]

A 2-0 lead is great, but the Suns are a great opponent too, so if CP3 will not play this game is a historic opportunity for the Nuggets to decide the winner of this series already after 3 games! Of course, we should try to win anyway, with or without Chris Paul.

[skywalker33]

CP3 is a non-factor in this series, Book and KD are all we have to worry about on their offense. DA doesn’t have the guts to compete with a 2x MVP, just gotta keep Murray and MPJ on track and we’ll watch the Suns set towards the off-season

[THE J0KER]

CP3 is a non-factor in this series, Book and KD are all we have to worry about on their offense. DA doesn’t have the guts to compete with a 2x MVP, just gotta keep Murray and MPJ on track and we’ll watch the Suns set towards the off-season

I do not agree with you on this. Suns BIG4 is the best in the league, but they have the worst bench of all 20 NBA teams participating in the 2023 play-in and play-off.. actually, their 5th starter Josh Okogie already sucks, and in most PO teams would not be TOP8 which means just garbage time minutes in a playoff. So, without Chris Paul, they will be forced to replace him with the G-League level PG Cameron Payne as a starter who is not even a TOP300 player in the league. Paul is not HoF level anymore nor All-Star, but he is still a TOP50 player (or at least very close to TOP50) and one of the most useful point guards, and as I already pointed out, it is not just who will miss the game but who will replace him (Cameron "GOAT" Payne)!

[TunaFish]

I am on the side that thinks losing CP3 hurts the Suns immensely.

[skywalker33]

Heard they're expecting him to miss Games 3-5

[THE J0KER]

Heard they're expecting him to miss Games 3-5

How do they know there will be game 5

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/271424/Chris-Paul-Out-At-Least-One-Week-With-Groin-Injury

[GTR11]

CP3 is a non-factor in this series, Book and KD are all we have to worry about on their offense. DA doesn’t have the guts to compete with a 2x MVP, just gotta keep Murray and MPJ on track and we’ll watch the Suns set towards the off-season

You managed to contradict yourself very next sentence

[GTR11]

I am on the side that thinks losing CP3 hurts the Suns immensely.

They need vintage CP, not the washed up one due to lack of quality depth. With him out it pretty much guarantees a 4 and 0 or 1 result this series. KD and Book not the playmakers and they won't score enough to win games by themselves.

Lot's of things going against PHX right now. However, Nuggets having continuity is the biggest reason you guys looking so good compared to other teams.

MPJ's and Murray's health will be deciding factor. If they can stay healthy, there is not one team in WC you guys can't handle.

[Manolito]

I love the physicality team has shown so far. That is why KD and Booker are exhausted at the end of the game. CP3 injury is a consequence of that physicality. PHO should win game 3 after having 4 days to rest, but game 4 is the key. I would like to see some minutes for Nnaji but nothing to complain regarding game plan. MPJ should be more involved offensively but so far the team is winning.

GSW - LAL, I just hope it is a long series. I don't think LeBron and AD can handle so many games with only one day rest in between. They have been fighting for their lives since March mostly.

[skywalker33]

Nuggets have a shot for a KNOCKOUT blow with a win in Game 3. Time to step on their throat and get a bit of revenge for last year.

[Jadoogar]

I am on the side that thinks losing CP3 hurts the Suns immensely.

His numbers aren't mind blowing but it's clear his game management, even at this age, will be missed significantly. Especially when his back up is Cam Payne. I'm assuming KD and Booker will take on more ball handling responsibilities. Nuggets need to put pressure on those 2 and just tire them out over the course of the game. The bench is garbage, idk how they those 2 are going to be able to carry such a heavy workload.

[skywalker33]

See, I agree the CP3 is a loss to the Suns, but I don't see his impact as what he's labeled a part of their Big 3, they're a Big Two team IMO

[skywalker33]

With PHX starting Torrey Craig at SF, MPJ should get back on track, hopefully he'll take it to the rim CONSISTENTLY. As for their CP3 replacement. Murray should go off on Cam Payne, gotta think we're going up 3-0 in the series if/when that happens

[SunsRback4Good]

See, I agree the CP3 is a loss to the Suns, but I don't see his impact as what he's labeled a part of their Big 3, they're a Big Two team IMO

No sir, you are wrong the Suns are a big ONE. Booker is currently on a MJ type level no team is able to stop him. While KD is our Pippen and Ayton is kinda our Rodman. Monty might not be Phil Jackson but he ain’t far away from him.

Spoiler:

All jokes aside, let’s hope for a good injury free game.

[skywalker33]

See, I agree the CP3 is a loss to the Suns, but I don't see his impact as what he's labeled a part of their Big 3, they're a Big Two team IMO

No sir, you are wrong the Suns are a big ONE. Booker is currently on a MJ type level no team is able to stop him. While KD is our Pippen and Ayton is kinda our Rodman. Monty might not be Phil Jackson but he ain’t far away from him.

Spoiler:

All jokes aside, let’s hope for a good injury free game.

As I said, OPTIMISTIC, not REALISTIC..good luck !

[skywalker33]

Nuggets up by 2 after 1 qtr even with Booker going off for 18 in the qtr

[skywalker33]

Defense by the Nuggets...formidable

[skywalker33]

Refs want to provide KD with some FT's today since he's 1-7 from the field

[skywalker33]

Ref's killing me...KD getting ALL the calls

[skywalker33]

Jokic is soo disrespected by the refs it's ridiculous