Free throws and 3 points, Thunder Caruso reveals the real culprit of losing to the Nuggets in the first game

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso reveals the real reason for the team's slump in their first game against the Denver Nuggets.

The Denver Nuggets won with a staggering 121-119 win in Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night, one of the most shocking endings in the NBA playoffs in recent years.

Many believe that the Thunder deliberately fouled the Denver Nuggets late in the game, and despite being ahead of the game, they shot themselves in the foot. With 10.1 seconds left in regular time, the Nuggets lead by 3 points. Alex Caruso deliberately fouled forward Aaron Gordon in the backcourt, and at this time the Oklahoma City Thunder was in the foul stage and had a three-point lead.

Gordon made both free throws, narrowing the Thunder's lead to only 1 point left. Thunder's big man Chet Homgren was fouled on the other side of the court with 9.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Homegren made both free throws, which gave the Nuggets a chance to win. Gordon hit a three-pointer to help the Nuggets secure the victory.

Although many blame the Thunder’s loss on foul strategy and Homegren’s missed free throws, Caruso prefers to believe that what happened before the mad moment in the last moment heralded the end of Oklahoma City’s end.

"Caruso mentioned that the five minutes before the final round (Chet's free throw and Gordon's three-pointer) could be the key to the Nuggets' loss," reported Joel Lorenzi of the Oklahoman.

However, Caruso, who scored 20 points in the first game, also said: "We gave the Nuggets some free throw opportunities that they could get without effort."

In the last six minutes of the game, the Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 21-11, while shooting 11 of 14 free throws. Instead, the Thunder made only 2 of 4 free throws in the same period.

Meanwhile, head coach Mark Dignot made an in-depth analysis of the Thunder's decision to use foul tactics at the last moment, a plan that was obviously backfire.

Denio said after the game, "We were not very lucky tonight, but we played well before. We will continue to reflect and learn from it, but I don't think that's why we lost the game."