NBA Power Rankings week 16: OKC Thunder and teams post deadline
Previous: 6th. Denver Nuggets. 6. team. 73. . 37-16
Denver Nuggets:
Offense: (111.6) 10th
Defense: (107.6) 9th
Net: (plus +3.9) 8th
Results Week 16: (3-0) Won vs. Blazers: 127-99, Jazz 98-95, Suns: 117-108
Games Week 17: (2 games) Mon vs. Spurs | Weds vs. Lakers
There are those who believe the Jazz are the stronger, higher seeded club but examine this Nuggets squad and it’s hard to deny they are the far superior squad.
They can lock teams down defensively in ways the Jazz hasn’t fully and consistently demonstrated especially against the top tier clubs.
Then factor in the Nuggets won in spite of missing three starters during a tough portion of their schedule. The win over the Jazz punctuated that point with Denver playing on a back-to-back (as were Utah but they were at home) and with only seven players hitting the hardwood.
The Nuggets didn’t have Paul Millsap, Michael Porter Jr., Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee or Will Barton. Conversely, Utah had all their starters back and played nine.
While Nikola Jokic started the season with many questioning his conditioning and readiness, he’s looked like an MVP candidate of late.