OAKLAND, Calif. — Sensing the importance of tonight’s Nuggets-Warriors game, Denver forward Eduardo Najera’s Wednesday included an elongated film session, a sweat-drenched shootaround and a pricey trim at San Francisco’s Joseph Cozza Salon.
All eyes will be on the Nuggets tonight, with the game on national television (6 p.m., TNT) and a playoff berth in the balance.
Yes, as Denver coach George Karl threw out, “We can probably still get in if we don’t win.”
But that would be difficult.
Denver and Golden State, both 47-31, are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. After tonight’s game, each team will have three games remaining — Denver plays at Utah and then hosts Houston and Memphis; Golden State hosts the Clippers, plays at Phoenix and is at home against Seattle.
No, tonight’s game at Oracle Arena doesn’t have cut-and-dry ramifications like the Rockies’ 2007 play-in game, but the intensity and importance are similar.
The Nuggets have a huge advantage in the final week in that they own the tiebreaker. Even if Golden State wins tonight, making the season series 2-2, the next tiebreaker is conference schedule. And if the two teams finished the season tied for eighth, Denver would have the better conference record, and thus would make the playoffs.
A victory, therefore, would give the Nuggets some breathing room, a one-game lead and needing only two wins in their final three games to clinch a playoff spot.
The Warriors know the math, too, and realize their season is on the line.
“You always want to put yourself in a position to control your own destiny, so we’ll have that opportunity,” Warriors guard Baron Davis said. “We just have to come out with the resolve to win this game.”
The Nuggets likely cannot afford to have defensive lulls that have plagued them of late. They can pull off their lackadaisical, too-cool-for-defense shtick against slower, weaker teams, but the Warriors make you pay.
“We have to make sure we challenge shots,” center Marcus Camby said. “They’re a team that’s going to shoot a lot of perimeter jumpers, and if we don’t have a hand up or aren’t close to those guys, the shots are going in. And if we can rebound the basketball, it will ignite our fast break.”
That means igniting Allen Iverson. Denver’s all-star guard is third in the NBA with 26.3 points per game, but he has shot below that mark in three of the last five games, including a reserve-like 13 points in a loss to Sacramento last Saturday.
Denver’s Carmelo Anthony is on a scoring tear, with 47, 38 and 36 points in the past three games. Of games like tonight, he said: “These are the best games you can possibly play. If you’re not excited about playing this type of game, then you don’t like playing basketball.”
DENVER at GOLDEN STATE
6 p.m. tonight, TNT, KKFN 104.3 FM
Spotlight on Baron Davis: The Warriors guard is sixth in the NBA with 7.6 assists per game, but in three games against the Nuggets he has averaged 9.3. “He’s their motor,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “(Coach Don Nelson) has given him a freedom.” Davis does an excellent job a feedingand feeding off — fellow guard Monta Ellis. And Karl is worried about Davis’ ability to hit big shots in the fourth quarter.
Notebook
Nuggets: Coach George Karl said power forward Nene is doubtful with a strained right groin. Karl also said the Nuggets are considering adding D-League player Dahntay Jones. “I would say he’s more defensive-minded, defensive-focused, than offensive,” Karl said.
Warriors: Golden State has lost nine of its last 12 games against Denver. The Warriors have three players averaging 20-plus points per game: Baron Davis, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
