Denver Nuggets: Can 16 be sweet for them?

Denver Nuggets v Cleveland CavaliersCLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 3: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 3, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 926947542

Can 16 be sweet for the Denver Nuggets?

16 might not be so sweet for the Denver Nuggets this March. The close of the 2018 season in the NBA’s Western Conference will rival the excitement of the March Madness tournament……at least to us diehard fans. Seven teams are within 2.5 games of each other with five playoff spots available. Every game remaining for these seven teams will feel like a win or stay home for the playoffs scenario. The Nuggets have 16 games remaining 10 wins get them in.

Denver Nuggets

46 is the Magic Number

If the seven playoff contenders all stay on pace with their season long win percentages; 45 is going to be the eighth seeds win total. That’s why Denver needs 46. With 16 games remaining here are the 10 games they can’t lose.

All Home Games Are Must Wins

Only six of the final 16 games are at home for Denver. To put it lightly the Nuggets have been a below average road team. Losing any remaining home games will significantly diminish all playoff hopes. It doesn’t matter who they play; the Nuggets have to win all remaining home games. four of the final six games of the season are at home; hopefully this will allow Denver to finish the season strong.

If Denver wins Six at Home

If the Nuggets defend home court they have room for error on the road. With six home wins, Denver would only need to pull off four wins out of their final 10 road games. Good news is that winning four of 10 falls in the realm of possibilities. The bad news is Denver has a seven game road trip in which they’ll play five current playoff teams. Denver must win on the road against both the Memphis Grizzles and the Chicago Bulls. These are non-playoff teams with losing home records. Denver cannot lose to either of these teams and expect to make the playoffs.

Game 82

Game 82 on April 11^th at the Minnesota Timberwolves is a must win. With how tight the playoff race currently is; we have to expect the final game of the season to be impactful on the outcome of the final standings. The sixth seed Timberwolves are currently just a game and a half ahead of Denver in the standings. Game 82 could very well be for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Find a way for #10

I don’t care if it’s a triple OT game. I don’t care if it’s a buzzer beater. Win in a blowout. Win because of a bad call or lucky break at the end of a game. Somehow Denver has to find a way to win one game against these seven teams; The Lakers, Heat, Wizards, 76ers, Raptors, Thunder, and Clippers. The most impactful games out of these seven are against the Lakers and Clippers; both are Western conference teams. The games Denver has the best chance to win are against the Lakers, Heat and Wizards; each of these teams has at least 13 home losses.

Next: Recap from Lakers game

Obviously different scenarios exist; but if the Nuggets lose any of these games; their playoff hopes and dreams may end up as just another buzzer beater loss in March.