Seeding games power ranking: OKC Thunder defense bolsters their position

AUGUST 09: Terrance Ferguson #23, Darius Bazley #7, Chris Paul #3, Devon Hall #14, and Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder celebrate after defeating the Washington Wizards (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
AUGUST 09: Terrance Ferguson #23, Darius Bazley #7, Chris Paul #3, Devon Hall #14, and Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder celebrate after defeating the Washington Wizards (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
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OKC Thunder
Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Nerlens Noel #9 of the OKC Thunder. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets:

Other than the Brooklyn Nets no team entered the bubble with as many players missing or injured. Even as the team prepares for their first-round match Gary Harris and Will Barton have yet to play.

To compensate for the numerous players sidelined head coach Mike Malone upped the playing time of Michael Porter Jr. and rookie Bol Bol. That seemed to pay dividends as it allowed for both to gain valuable experience.

Denver had the fourth most difficult strength of schedule with a cumulative opponent win total of 317.  It seemed like the Nuggets were determined to stay in third and avoid the Mavericks — which they accomplished.

Seeding Game Results:

Heat 125 – Nuggets 105
Nuggets 121 – OKC Thunder 113
Nuggets 132 – Spurs 126
Blazers  125 – Nuggets 115
Nuggets 134 – Jazz 132: 2OT
Lakers 124 – Nuggets 121
Clippers 124 – Nuggets 111
Raptors 117 – Nuggets 109