The Nuggets are carving up opposing teams with their efficient offense, which has led to an impressive month of March. During the month, Denver leads the league in offensive rating and the team pulled off some unthinkable upsets, notching wins over the Celtics, Clippers, and Cavs.
The development of Nikola Jokic has been a major reason why the team is finding success, but it’s also a result of several other factors, such as coach Mike Malone’s decision to start 35-year-old Jameer Nelson at point guard. Nelson hasn’t been statistically great, but just like a game manager at the quarterback position in the NFL, he helps his team by making the right decisions and reducing risk. Out of all guards averaging at least 30 minutes a night, Ricky Rubio is the only player with a better assist-to-turnover ratio than Nelson during the month of March.
Denver’s success has propelled them into the lead in the Western Conference’s eighth seed race. Entering the day, the Nuggets sit 1.5 games ahead of the Blazers and 3.5 games ahead of the Mavericks.
That leads us to tonight’s topic: Do you think the Nuggets hold onto the eighth seed and make the playoffs? If they do, how many games can they win either against a Warriors squad that may not have Kevin Durant or against a Spurs team that may face issues because of its aging backcourt?
If you don’t think the team can sustain its level of success or you don’t believe it will fare well once it reaches the postseason, let us know what moves the team should make this offseason to upgrade the roster. Tonight’s shootaround is all about the Nuggets. Take to the comment section below to share your thoughts on the team. We look forward to what you have to say!
I think that it’s most likely the nuggets keep the spot, though I think the pelicans would face up better against the Warriors with a crazy front court, and the trailblazers against the Spurs with their backcourt. But while I think the nuggets will keep the spot, I don’t see them overwhelming either team. I see Parker as just as good as Nelson. The Spurs got a two pretty good big men who can manage to go against Jokic. And the bench would overrule the nuggets. And with the Warriors the their superstars will just be too hard to defend, and the nuggets can’t match the same level that the Warriors can on offense. But it’s a good young promising team so props to them.
I hope they win against the Warriors and kick them in the First Round out
I think the Nuggets will keep the 8th seed. And if the Warriors are without Durant, I’m predicting a major upset.
That would be bigger upset than the 2007 Mavs-Warriors series
Gonna hold that 8 seed and lost 4-2 to golden state
If you understand matchups, those weren’t “unthinkable upsets.” I had denver in every one of those games
…Denver can give GS an interesting series, especially if KD is out. GS can’t take them lightly. They have a lot of depth, and can matchup pretty decently with them. GS would have to look to win with their defense.
Looking at the schedule of both the Nuggets and Blazers, if the Nuggets can beat the Blazers next Tuesday, they need to win an additional 5 more of the remaining games to keep the 8th seed.
My heart would love to see them beat the Warriors in the first round, but it would not be easy and all of the Nuggets will have to really step up their games. What ever happens, now until the end of the season is going to be fun.
If they beat the Pelicans and beat Portland, then I’m not drawing any conclusions.
They could have beaten Houston 2x with a little more maturity and better end game coaching.
But I think they learned from that, after dismantling Cleveland and Indiana, the latter being the best defensive team in the league. So I don’t know how good Denver can be.
Chandler and Gallo are true veterans and some of the team’s statistics blow my mind…like 94% from ft the since all star?!! We have one of the top three big men starting in the league. And 65% assist ratio.
The key is touches for Jokic and our team counters the pressure that will be put on him.
Plumlee needs to threaten to go to the rim more and pass right away. He should learn from Jokic and use his muscle. His defense will be key against the Pelicans. Portland’s guards are going to be a problem. I support doubling them on top, because, outside of them and Nurkic (ironic), we can match up with Portland. Plumlee and Faried and/or Chandler should focus on neutralizing and frustrating Nurk. Jokic cannot let Nurk frustrate him.
We have all cylinders firing now and should be able to substitute freely.
Indiana is terrible defensively