On numerous occasions this season, the Nuggets, either against a supposedly inferior opponent or when the stakes were high, have failed to play well.
Interim coach Adrian Dantley said Thursday that won’t be the case tonight in Utah for Game 3 of the playoff series against the Jazz.
Dantley promised his players would come out focused: “It’s 1-1 — you might relax some if it’s 1-0, but you want to have that energy when the series is 1-1. Both teams will. It’s a matter of who has the most will.”
Dantley said he didn’t think Denver relaxed in Game 2, at the Pepsi Center, which Utah won 114-111. Dantley said the Nuggets could have won with better execution on a couple of possessions late in the game. Utah moved out to a 14-point lead in the third quarter, which Denver overcame before Utah regained the lead late and held on.
“If we come out and play with some energy, play hard and pass the ball around, I know we’ll be all right,” Dantley said.
Karl makes appearance. George Karl spent about 15 minutes sitting courtside, watching the Nuggets’ practice Thursday before the team left for Salt Lake City. Dantley had a visit with Karl on Wednesday to talk about the team’s play in the series.
Asked if there was a focal point of their chat, Dantley didn’t hesitate.
“Deron Williams,” Dantley said of the Jazz guard who scored 33 points with 14 assists in Utah’s Game 2 victory. “George said we can’t let him hurt us. We have to take the ball out of his hands . . . If he comes down on the left side of the court, we can’t have three guys hugging someone on the right side.
“We have to tilt the floor toward him, make someone else be the one to score 30 points.”
Martin takes break. Kenyon Martin sat out Thursday’s practice to rest his left knee. The team said his availability for tonight will be determined at game time.
“The knee feels good, but we want to use him for the game. He’s just resting the knee,” Dantley said of Martin, who missed 18 regular-season games but has played five straight games.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com
