NBA Power Rankings week 15: OKC Thunder and teams hit trade deadline

Denver Nuggets:

Offense: (111.2)  12th
Defense: (107.9) 12th
Net: (plus +3.4) 10th

  
Results Week 15: (2-2) Won vs. Jazz: 106-100, Bucks: 127-115, Lost vs. Grizzlies: 96-104, Pistons: 123-128 (OT)
Games Week 16: (3 games) Tues vs Blazers | Weds at Jazz | Sat at Suns

The trio of the Clippers, Jazz, and Nuggets are currently embroiled in a battle to lay claim to the second see in the West. It’s a hot seat in which each of the trio occupied it for at least a day this past week.

The fact Denver has four core contributors (Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Mason Plumlee, Michael Porter Jr.) all sidelined it’s impressive they are winning enough to stay among the home court seeds.

Nikola Jokic may have entered the season appearing pudgy and out of shape but the big man continues to impress, particularly in those critical clutch time moments. His presence was the most impressive in those final two minutes of the Jazz match as he ensured the victory.

While Rudy Gobert is a defensive beast he couldn’t stop the Nuggets star and it’s hard not to have more faith in the Nuggets over the Jazz because of that fact.

Much like the Raptors battled constant injury (and continue to) the Nuggets depth is a major factor although the loss to the Pistons felt more like wear and tear than Denver not playing up tor their potential. Furthermore, the Nuggets were playing their third game in four days with an early start time (and even earlier than normal given the time zone change for the club).

The Joker is doing his best to keep the club afloat but it’s a good bet Denver (and Toronto) may be the happiest of all the seeded clubs the break is just around the corner.