Denver Nuggets back in the hunt for the West
The Denver Nuggets were 9-1 to start the season and had the second best record in the Western Conference.
I suspect that many critics expected the Denver Nuggets to fall back down to earth and they did with a 1-6 stretch that gave them a 10-7 record that begged the question if they were a true playoff team again this year.
But, the Nuggets are back they’re on a 5 game winning streak that just so happened in my previous articles could be a five game stretch that I thought the first half could hinge on.
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Now the Nuggets have to avoid slippery rocks so as to not fall back down the mountain that is the Western Conference Standings.
The Next five games begin with a tough matchup against the top team in the East, the Toronto Raptors and that Kawhi Leonard guy.
After that it’s the Magic, Hornets, Hawks, and a revenge game with the Memphis Grizzlies. So, these next five games too could hold a lot of weight in the standings.
Outside the Denver area it’s likely expected that the perennial contenders like Golden State, Houston, and Oklahoma City will blow by these Denver Nuggets and they’ll be left to scrap it out for the last few playoff spots.
It’s up to guys like Jamal Murray whose played some of his best basketball in clutch moments recently to stay on top. Luckily for him, he’ll have plenty of help.
Paul Millsap has been outstanding on this win streak looking the part of an all star and/or all NBA defensive player.
Nikola Jokic has been contributing in his Swiss army knife fashion, and Gary Harris returned to the lineup red hot against Portland (including a clutch three point shot with 16 seconds left in the game which gave the Nuggets a three point lead). Juan Hernangomez and Trey Lyles each averaged double digits during this winning streak.
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Every player in the rotation deserves credit for the Nuggets winning streak and place in the standings and they’ll need everyone to keep contributing if they hope to maintain their winning ways.