Denver Nuggets shooting guard Will Barton is struggling to find a rhythm in the first round of the playoffs. In fact, he has made just one 3-pointer in his first two games against the Spurs. Despite this fact, Barton says he isn't worried, so long as Denver wins:
“I'm fine,” Barton told Harrison Wind of BSNDenver during Thursday's media availability. “I'm not tripping as long as we're winning. If we lose and I have 40 I'm still going to be pissed off. So what is it doing for me? If we win, that's all that matters and I just try to be better game in and game out.”
Barton went 1-for-10 from the field and missed all six of his 3-point attempts in Denver's 114-105 Game 2 victory. And with the series now tied at one game apiece, he's 1-for-11 from beyond the arc.
Though he's struggling to find his shot, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone says he is going to keep Barton in the starting lineup for Game 3:
“We are going to stay with the same starting group,” Malone told ESPN during Wednesday's media availability. “You go out there with what got you here, and if guys are struggling, then you look to get guys into the game. … Obviously, [Barton has] struggled to play in two of these games, especially with shooting the ball.
“But kind of like with Jamal [Murray] last night, if I just yank him out of the lineup, well, that's not who I am,” Malone added. “And I think it would be an overreaction. It would look like I'm panicking.”
Malone says he and his coaching staff are hoping that Barton will have a better showing in Game 3:
“I think Will is at his best when he's attacking and getting to the basket and he's also playmaking,” Malone said. “… I expect a much improved performance from Will [in Game 3], and I think all his teammates are behind him, as is the coaching staff.”
The Nuggets and Spurs will meet for Game 3 on Friday night. Tip-off inside the AT&T Center is set for 9:00 p.m. ET, with NBA TV having live broadcast coverage.
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