Finally, mercifully, the end of the NBA’s regular season is in sight.
Just two more days, and we’ll finally know who the Nuggets will play in their quest to win a playoff series for the first time in 10 years. (Yes, an entire decade.)
With a Western Conference top three seed guaranteed, we know this much: The Nuggets will get either the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, or Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. (A previous version of this story listed the Jazz as a potential opponent, but there is no scenario in which the Nuggets can play the Jazz.)
So, which one do the Nuggets want to see most? Well, let’s take a look…
Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 47-33 (currently 6th)
Games left: vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; at Milwaukee, 6 p.m. Wednesday
Nuggets’ record vs. Thunder: 4-0 (Point differential: Nuggets +9.25)
Best five-man lineup via net rating (Min. 150 minutes): Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams, Jerian Grant and Terrance Ferguson
Breakdown: There is no escaping the fact that the Nuggets have owned the Thunder this season. That said, the playoffs are a different animal. Do the Thunder have another gear? Hard to say. George clearly isn’t at 100 percent. Westbrook can’t throw it in the ocean. And who else can the Thunder turn to in a pinch? Dennis Schroder? Not exactly instilling fear in the hearts of Denverites everywhere.
San Antonio Spurs
Record: 47-34 (currently 7th)
Games left: vs. Dallas, 6 p.m. Wednesday
Nuggets’ record vs. Spurs: 2-2 (Point differential: Nuggets +5.5)
Best five-man lineup via net rating (Min. 150 minutes): LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, Bryn Forbes, Derrick White
Breakdown: Out of the bottom three teams, the Spurs are the only one with a .500 record against the Nuggets this season. They also have perhaps the league’s most accomplished postseason coach in Gregg Popovich — a guy who’s been knocked out of the first round just five times in 21 visits (including last season). Once you get past Aldridge and DeRozen, however, things get pretty skimpy in terms of star power. Who’s holding down Jamal Murray? Is anyone actually afraid of playoff DeRozen?
Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 47-34 (currently 8th)
Games left: vs. Utah, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Nuggets’ record vs. Clippers: 3-1 (Point differential: Nuggets +9.0)
Best five-man lineup via net rating (Min. 150 minutes): Danilo Gallinari, Patrick Beverly, Ivica Zubac, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Landry Shamet
Breakdown: The only other team in the field as green as the Nuggets is Steve Ballmer’s band of plucky upstarts. If ever there was a “just happy to be here” team, it’s these Clips — a franchise that traded its best player (Tobias Harris) at the deadline and spent most of the season in the shadow of LeBron James and the woeful Lakers. Looking at the roster, it’s a wonder this team keeps winning games. With nothing to lose, can they be dangerous?
Verdict: In order of most desirable to least, I’d go 1. Clippers, 2. Thunder, 3. Spurs. The most likely scenario is probably somewhere on the back end, with a series against the Thunder or Spurs. My guess: Oklahoma City in a knock-down, drag-out seven-gamer.
(Correction: This post has been corrected to reflect that the Jazz have been eliminated as a possible first-round playoff opponent for Denver.)
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- Rockies: Atlanta Braves, 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, ATTRM |
- Nuggets: At Utah Jazz, 7 p.m. Tuesday, ALT |
- Rapids: Seattle Sounders, 7 p.m. Wednesday, ALT2 |
- Avalanche: At Calgary Flames, 8 p.m. Thursday, ALT/NBCSN |
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
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Scoreboard
MLB: Brave 8, Rockies 6
Full story |
NCAA Tournament: Virginia 85, Texas Tech 77 (OT)
Full story |
Must-Read
Broncos Mailbag: Dwayne Haskins would be an ideal fit in Denver, but stars would have to align in NFL draft
From moving up to take quarterback Dwayne Haskins to how long Joe Flacco has left in the tank, Denver Post reporter Ryan O’Halloran answered a variety of questions in this week’s mailbag. Read more…
Denver Pioneers goalie Filip Larsson on the brink of setting NCAA record at the Frozen Four
The desire to prove people wrong can be a strong motivator, and itap what has helped propel the University of Denver into the program’s 16th Frozen Four. Read more…
Dalton Risner dishes on Broncos visit, John Elway, Vic Fangio and why it would be “awesome” to work with Mike Munchak
Mike Munchak was jazzed enough with the game tape. But when Dalton Risner, unprompted, told him what a pleasure it was to talk shop with the No. 8 pick in the 1982 NFL draft, the Broncos’ new offensive line coach knew right away that this was a kid who didn’t skimp on his homework. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Lunch Special: Is it time to give up on Ian Desmond in center field?
+ The Rockies are in wait-and-see mode with injured outfielder David Dahl.
+ Former Rockies’ reliever Adam Ottavino is seeing Babe Ruth in his nightmares.
+ Good news for the Avs: All-star Mikko Rantanen is expected to return for Game 1 of playoffs vs. Calgary.
+ At least one pundit sees Avalanche first-round opponent Calgary as the Stanley Cup favorites.
+ The NHL draft lottery is set for tonight, and guess who has the best odds to take home the top pick. (Hint: Rhymes with “spavalanche”)
+ The Rapids are salty after last weekend’s loss at Orlando. And with good reason: Kellyn Acosta was head-butted twice by Nani, who received no red card, and then was cursed at by an official.
+ Some offseason homework for CU’s McKinley Wright: Improve on that assist-to-turnover rate.
+ Redshirt freshman Alex Fontenot has his eyes on the up-for-grabs running back spot in the CU Buffs backfield.
+ Von Miller says Odell Beckham Jr. is loving life in Cleveland: “He’s the new LeBron there.”
+ With the 2018-19 NBA season winding down, let’s talk awards.
+ The WNBA went and got itself a new logo.
Post Mailbag forms
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
890
How many career NHL wins Joel Quenneville has as a coach. The former Avalanche coach was hired by the Florida Panthers on Monday. Read more…
Parting Shot
Kiz vs. Singer: Do the Nuggets value rest over the No. 2 seed?
Nuggets coach Michael Malone wants a team with fresh legs heading into the NBA playoffs, but is he really willing to sacrifice the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference to achieve that mission? Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
