The Denver Nuggets look like they own a bit of real estate inside Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook’s head.
Of course, Westbrook, on the heels of Friday’s sixth consecutive loss to the Nuggets, wouldn’t concede that the regular season has any bearing on the postseason. He shouldn’t. The Thunder, which may meet the Nuggets in the first round, has been there before.
But itap impossible to ignore the four nights this season when the Nuggets have undressed and unnerved the former MVP. There was the 6-of-23 shooting night in November, the home win weeks later that ended with a shoving match between Westbrook and Jamal Murray, the seven turnovers forced in the next victory, and Friday’s win that featured some barking between the Thunder’s mercurial star and Denver’s coaching staff. Even with Torrey Craig’s unrelenting defense, Westbrook is still a half an assist shy of a triple-double against the Nuggets, though his averages are down.
Russell Westbrook asked how much the outcomes of regular season matchups matter when going into a postseason series: “They don’t.” (Takes sip, walks away)
— Royce Young (@royceyoung)
If the Western Conference bracket breaks in Denver’s favor, it should welcome the chance to face the Thunder in the first round. Not only would it represent a high-profile, intense playoff series that could expedite their marginal experience, the Nuggets should feel confident that their personnel undermines what the Thunder does best. The Nuggets have a number of long-limbed, rangy defenders like Craig, Will Barton and Gary Harris, who can all take turns staggering looks against Westbrook and Paul George.
Whatap more, the Nuggets’ two best offensive players, Nikola Jokic and Murray, have shredded the Thunder defense. Jokic is averaging nearly 25 points on more than 19 shots per game — the fourth-most attempts he has against any team this year. And on top of Murray’s 22 points per game vs. OKC, he’s hauling in nearly seven rebounds and dishing almost six assists. The latter two are signs he’s been engaged on both ends during each Thunder matchup.
Despite Westbrook’s point that the playoffs are a different animal, the Nuggets can’t help but feel positive about a potential dance with OKC.
With seven games remaining in the regular season and a cushy three-game lead over the No. 3 Portland Trail Blazers, the Nuggets are in a unusual state having yet to clinch the No. 2 seed. They’ll travel to Golden State on Tuesday with the possibility of the No. 1 seed swirling around the matchup. But the top seed may be a fruitless endeavor, because there’s no guarantee the Nuggets secure it, even if they push for it.
What is certain is that if they try, they’ll use up valuable energy that Nuggets coach Michael Malone is doing his best to conserve. More important, the No. 1 seed doesn’t guarantee a better matchup, either. The Nuggets have been tepid about their desire to chase the top seed, instead prioritizing health and rest over the final two weeks of the season.
Denver’s first-round opponent will probably be the Thunder, Spurs or Clippers, three teams they can beat. The bottom half of the bracket is so fluid, though, that their remaining schedules may be the deciding factor. In that regard, the Spurs have the most favorable slate left, despite a stop in Denver. The Clippers and Thunder end their seasons with three of four games against potential playoff teams. The Nuggets draw playoff teams in five of their remaining seven games, consequently getting final looks at Portland, San Antonio, Utah and Golden State before the pressure cooker starts.
Irrelevant of possible first-round matchups, Friday’s convincing 115-105 win over the Thunder provided some temporary relief. Inconsistencies and some lopsided losses had crept in to the Nuggets’ recent play, but Friday was a reminder of how dangerous they are when they play unselfish basketball and commit to defense.
Murray played arguably his best game in a Nuggets uniform, while he and Monte Morris combined for 16 assists and no turnovers. Jokic was dominant and the team found its 3-point stroke.
If the Nuggets can sustain that formula, bring on the Thunder.
