Is Magic game a must win for Nuggets?
By Eric Meyer
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Nuggets are on a 4 game winning streak after their impressive 101-88 win over the Thunder on Thursday. They sit only 2 games out of the 8th Playoff spot in the Western Conference. With that as the backdrop, ask the question….Is a win against the 10-26 Orlando Magic a must win? There are several reasons this is a must win for the Nuggs.
First, the game is at Home in the friendly confines of Pepsi Center that haven’t been as friendly this year as last. The Nuggets record at home thus far is a less than impressive 10-8 after setting a team record for home wins last season.
Second, The Magic are on a 5 game western road swing and this will be the 4th game of that trip. They are also playing on the second night of a back to backs as they lost 103-83 to the Sacramento Kings Friday night.
Third, after this home stand, the Nuggets head out on the road with games against the Jazz in Salt Lake City on Monday and then to the Warriors in Oakland on Wednesday night. Both of these venues are difficult places to win in the western conference and the Nuggets need to head out with momentum and a 5 game winning streak in their back pocket for these two contests.
Lastly, a fifth win in a row can ease the sting of the 8 game losing streak that preceded this winning stretch and get the Nuggets back into serious playoff contention.
So, Is a win against the 10-26 Orlando Magic a must-win? The answer is a resounding yes. If the Nuggets continue to play with the passion and team mentality they have shown in the 4 previous wins, this game should be very winnable. But if they come into the game less than motivated they can get bit by a team they should most certainly beat.