NBA Playoffs 2019: What to watch for in Game 3 of Nets vs. 76ers, Spurs vs. Nuggets, Clippers vs. Warriors

Benyam Kidane and Yash Matange

NBA Playoffs 2019: What to watch for in Game 3 of Nets vs. 76ers, Spurs vs. Nuggets, Clippers vs. Warriors image

On Friday, Day 6 of the postseason, we will have the first Game 3's being played.

All three series' being played out on Friday have already seen one upset in their two games so far - the Nets and Spurs stole home court in Game 1 while the Clippers stunned the Warriors with their historic 31-point Game 2 comeback. 

Here are few things to watch from each series as we look forward to the first Game 3's of the first round: 

Spurs vs. Nuggets

Can the young inexperienced Nuggets win in San Antonio? 

If it wasn't for Jamal Murray's red-hot fourth quarter shooting in Game 2, the Denver Nuggets could have found themselves trailing 0-2 in their series with the San Antonio Spurs. 

Through two games, barring the final period of Game 2, five of the seven quarters have belonged to the Spurs.

The Nuggets will have their work cut out for them in Game 3 on the road in San Antonio at the AT&T Center, where the Spurs went 32-9 (tied for third-best in the league) during the regular season. 

Experience isn't on the Nuggets' side with plenty of their key pieces playing their first road playoff game and to make things even tougher, the Nuggets haven't won in San Antonio since March 2012.

Nets vs. 76ers

Can Ben Simmons match his aggression from Game 2?

It was night and day for Ben Simmons in the first two games of the series, with the Sixers' point guard finding his way to the basket early and often in Game 2.

Philly are at their best when he is engaged on both ends, forcing turnovers, getting out in transition and attacking the paint.

“He was really, really aggressive, getting everyone involved. That’s how we want him to play every single night or day,” Jimmy Butler said of Simmons. “I love him whenever he’s playing like that. I think he makes our team a lot better.”


Brooklyn's Jared Dudley is 'probable' to return from a calf injury for Game 3, setting up an interesting potential matchup at Barclays Center after his impressive defensive perofrmance in Game 1.

Can Philly replicate their offensive output from Game 2?

The Sixers poured in 145 points in Game 2, however, they only connected on 9 three-pointers, doing a ton of damage in the paint (62 points).

For Joel Embiid 11 of his 12 shots came in the paint and unleashing the big man on the Nets' defenders will be crucial to opening up the rest of the floor for his teammates.

Between Jarett Allen, Ed Davis, and the undersized Jared Dudley and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the Nets aren't really equipped to deal with Embiid, so look for the Sixers to run their offence through the big man in Game 3.

Clippers vs. Warriors

Can the Warriors re-establish their dominance?

The two-time reigning champions will surely be determined to prove to everybody that their Game 2 collapse was a one-off. 

Given the talent disparity between both teams and the Warriors' recent track record against the Clippers, especially in the Steve Kerr era (17-3), the Dubs should feel confident on the road.

Nonetheless, they will want to make a statement in Game 3.

Since 2013, when their recent run of the seven straight postseason appearances began, the Dubs have won at least one road game in every series. 

They would like to win both in this series in order to wrap it up in Game 5 back in Oracle, but the Clippers have already shown us they're not afraid of the moment.

Can the Warriors' bigs deliver again? 

With DeMarcus Cousins ruled out for the rest of the season, the big man duties will have to be taken up the reserves - Andrew Bogut, who is set to start Game 3, Kevin Looney, and Jordan Bell. 

After Boogie went down very early in the first quarter of Game 2, the Warriors' big men weathered the storm and finished with solid contributions but can they replicate that when the opposition has had a day to gameplan against them? 

In Game 2, Looney scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed 6 rebounds on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting in 20 minutes for a +1. Bogut played 18 minutes, recording 3 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists for a +5, while Jordan Bell played just four minutes.

How will each of these big men, in their specific minutes and as a unit, function in Game 3 for the Warriors? 

The answer to that might play a huge role in the who emerges victorious in Game 3. 

Can Kevin Durant break the shackles?

Patrick Beverley's defence on Kevin Durant has had a huge impact on the Warriors star's performance and the series, especially in Game 2. 

In Game 1, the two-time reigning Finals MVP registered his first-ever playoff ejection after receiving two double technicals while jawing it out with Beverley. 

In Game 2, despite recording a stat line of 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in 34 minutes, he had one of the strangest games of his playoff career.

His eight field goal attempts in Game 2 are the second-fewest in his playoff career. His nine turnovers are tied for the most in his playoff career and this was his first playoff game being fouled out.

We all know how good Kevin Durant can be, especially on the offensive end of the floor, however, we haven't seen that in this series so far. 

Will Game 3 be the game that he finds his smooth shooting touch and takes over the game?

Benyam Kidane and Yash Matange