OKLAHOMA CITY — In Game 1 against the Thunder, the Nuggets’ Wilson Chandler shot 4-for-10 from the field, an adequate night for a guy who shot 45 percent in the regular season.
Alas, Game 1 was Chandler’s best game of the series.
While he has played above-average defense, the small forward has been abysmal on offense. In the previous three games, he shot 0-for-6, 1-for-4 and then 0-for-4 in Game 4.
“I just have to find my way. I don’t know how it will come until it comes,” Chandler said at today’s shootaround, as the Nuggets prepared for tonight’s Game 5.
Nuggets coach George Karl said that Chandler is facing some stage fright in Chandler’s first-ever postseason.
“He hasn’t fallen into good shots,” Karl said. “A playoff stress is that you get fewer good shots in playoff basketball. So you kind of get anxious about it. I think that’s what has happened to Wilson. It’s almost like he’s shooting too quick or almost seems stressed, as if to say, ‘Oh, I’ve got to make this shot because I haven’t made one.’ I just think it’s a new stage for him.”
However, in part because of his good defense, Chandler actually leads all rotation Nuggets in plus-minus. And he has gladly accepted the challenge of defending superstar Kevin Durant, who has only had one dominant game.
“Even though (Danilo) Gallinari has done a good job on Durant, I think Wilson has done a better job on Durant, except for the 3-4 times he’s fallen asleep on the 3-ball,” Karl said. “I think he fights through screens. (Assistant coach) Stacey Augmon feels that Wilson works so hard at covering Durant that he wears himself out.”
Tonight, of course, could be Denver’s last game if it doesn’t pull out a win here in Oklahoma City. The Nuggets trail the Thunder 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Karl said he will again closely monitor minutes and effectiveness. Chandler, for instance, played just eight minutes in Game 4.
“I don’t think I’m going to give guys a lot of opportunities if I’m not comfortable,” Karl said.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
