Joe Johnson argues that the Nuggets failed to exploit their offense properly against the Thunder's zone defense by not effectively involving Aaron Gordon in pick-and-roll plays.

“Ain't no way they supposed to let him off the hook, man. You supposed to put him in pick and roll before they get into that zone. You got to make him work. Make him move him.”

Shannon Sharpe believes that the Thunder's successful use of a box-and-one defense against Nikola Jokic, primarily led by Alex Caruso, was the deciding factor in the game.

“I thought the biggest difference in the ball game was Alex Caruso. They they did something we hadn't seen in a very long time. I don't think I've seen it since high school. They played a box in one, right?”