OKC Thunder: Dissecting 16 playoff seeds and 4 WC team records

Denver Nuggets

• 65 games played (43-22)
• Record versus seeded teams: 33 occasions (20-13)
• Record versus lottery teams: 32 occasions (23-9).
• Home record (25-8)
• Road record: (18-14)
• Back to back sets: 10 played (16-4)
  • one with both teams seeded (2-0)
  • eight with one seed/one lottery seed (12-4)
  • one with both teams in the lottery (2-0).

The biggest advantage for the Nuggets was their home court in the high altitude which is lost with all teams now playing in the same venue. They’ll be hoping to play some regular-season games to catch the Clippers who they trail by 1.5 games for second in the West (and fourth overall) as well as the Celtics who hold a slim half-game margin over them for fifth overall.

Denver is an interesting club to decipher because they play close to .500 on the road but excel in back-to-back sets. Possessing one of the deeper rosters in the association might be the reason for the consecutive game success.

Unlike last season the Nuggets have experienced better luck with fewer injuries this season. That said, it will be interesting to see what type of shape Nikola Jokic is in upon return. Michael Porter Jr. has looked solid this season adding a boost to the offense but he’s one of the players Mike Malone will need to carefully manage minutes given his injury history.

Denver holds a 1.5 game edge over the Jazz and 2.5 game edge over both the OKC Thunder and Rockets. They reside in third in the West and sixth overall with the teams mentioned chasing them as well as the Heat who trail them by two games.