How high can OKC Thunder move up NBA standings in Orlando?

Denver Nuggets are within striking distance:

Denver sits 2.5 games ahead of the Thunder, but the key here is the clubs will play twice in their eight remaining games. The squads have each won a game in the season series so if one team can win both matches they’ll own the tiebreak. The Nuggets have a relatively difficult schedule facing both LA clubs, as well as two strong Eastern clubs (Raptors and Heat). Depending on how motivated the Spurs are they could help OKC since they play the Nuggets twice.

One possible benefit the Nuggets will gain is they’ll face the Lakers early in the schedule. With the edge, the Lakers hold over their Western counterparts they can ease LeBron James and Anthony Davis back and lose some games.

OKC can’t afford to split the two Nuggets matches and tie Denver because they’d lose the tiebreak based on the divisional record. Notably, Denver is 10-1 in divisional games with the Thunder being the only team who’ve beaten them. While the Nuggets are a decent road team the Thunder has played better on the road particularly after Thanksgiving.

Overall, the schedule benefits the Thunder and while 2.5 games is a significant amount to make up in eight games it’s definitely doable. Winning those two head to head games is the priority if the Thunder want to take the series.

UPDATE: win percentage will take precedent over season series. Because the Clippers played one more game than OKC entering Orlando the Thunder should still focus on winning both games against the Nuggets but will need to finish with an extra win in Orlando due to the win percentage factor.