Denver Nuggets: Key Factors to Keep the Eighth Seed

March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) and center Nikola Jokic (15) react during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) and center Nikola Jokic (15) react during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

1. Injuries.

The Nuggets need to avoid the injury bug if they want any chance to claim that last spot. This hasn’t been so easy to do throughout the season, and it’s definitely easier said than done.

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All of the Nuggets’ stars have missed a few games here and there, and while some were more extreme than others, they need to get back to 100 percent. Some of these injuries include Danilo Gallinari (groin injury and vertigo), Nikola Jokic (undisclosed illness), and Kenneth Faried (back).

They just can’t have any injuries that sideline their players in the most important time of the season. A good example of this theory came in a game against the Washington Wizards last week, where both Gallinari and Jokic were out. That means Denver was missing their two highest leading scorers against one of the hottest teams in the league.

The Wizards won that game pretty handily. It shouldn’t be a surprise seeing as Denver’s leading scorer (Gallinari) and who they run the ball through (Jokic) were out. Now, those two were both out due to injury, but at least it was only one game. There don’t need to be any injuries that would put someone out for an extended amount of time or worse, for the season.