Can the Nuggets earn the #1 seed before the NBA playoffs begin?

Last season, the Denver Nuggets made franchise history by winning their first NBA championship. The Nuggets are eager to win back-to-back titles. However, there are still 21 games left in the regular season before the playoffs begin. At 42-19, Denver is currently third in the West. The first-place Oklahoma City Thunder only have a half-game lead on Denver at #3 and Minnesota at #2. 

It’s going to be a tight playoff race down the final stretch of the 2023-24 season. Only one team can assure themselves a home-court advantage in all their conference playoff rounds. Last season, it was the Denver Nuggets who had the #1 seed. They’d like to do the same in 2023-24. Denver has three important matchups that remain with the Timberwolves. Those will all help determine playoff seeding.

Will the Nuggets get the #1 seed in the West in back-to-back seasons?

The Denver Nuggets are now 20-10 (Best in the NBA) in clutch games on the season.

They also lead the NBA in clutch net rating with a +24.9 and the best clutch defense in the NBA (96.3). pic.twitter.com/Ol0TU4WhJg

— Swipa (@SwipaCam) March 3, 2024

Of the top seeds in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets are the only proven team with true playoff success. The #1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder are an extremely young team. Their roster has little to no playoff experience. It could lead to their downfall in the playoffs. Additionally, the Timberwolves at #2 haven’t proven anything in the postseason with their current squad. In 2023-24, Minnesota lost in the first round to Denver.

At #4, the LA Clippers are a team that fans should keep their eye on. If Kawhi Leonard is healthy, LA’s chances to go far in the postseason rise exponentially. If all their stars are playing well, the Clippers are a tough team to beat. The Clippers might be Denver’s toughest opponent they could potentially face in the playoffs. Denver isn’t worried about who they might match up against in the playoffs. All they care about…


Source link : https://sportslens.com/news/can-the-nuggets-take-control-of-the-west-and-earn-the-1-seed-before-playoffs-begin/

Author : Zach Wolpin

Publish date : 2024-03-04 16:09:40

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