OKC Thunder: Analyzing stretch run schedules with view to seeding
Denver Nuggets:
Arguably the Nuggets have the toughest closing schedule of the playoff chasers. In week 22 Denver played the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards all on the road winning the latter two.
At issue for the Nuggets is finding some semblance of defense given their issues on that end of the court. Mike Malone benched Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and other starters recently when they weren’t bringing energy or attempting to defend. It appeared to work with the two wins to close the week.
Remaining schedule includes:
- At Philadelphia 76ers, Monday 26
- At Toronto Raptors, Tuesday 27
- Finish road trip versus OKC Thunder. Friday 30
- Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, April 1
- Indiana Pacers, Tuesday 3
- Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday 5
- At Los Angeles Clippers, Saturday 7
- Portland Trail Blazers, Monday 9
- At Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday 11
As per above, every single team the Nuggets play in their final nine games is either currently seeded or chasing (Clippers) a berth. Five of the games will happen on the road and they’ll play one more back to back set.
It will be tough for the Nuggets to squeak their way into the playoffs. They hold a one game margin over the Clippers (after LA win in Toronto) and trail Jazz by one and a half games. Most notably of the three bottom squads arguably the Nuggets is the most difficult. OKC have a three game cushion on the Nuggets.