Denver Nuggets: 3 hot takes for the rest of the season

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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets on January 15, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Nuggets make the NBA Finals

This is one few are predicting, even with all the success the Nuggets have had. But, understandably so.

Say the Nuggets lock up the No. 2 seed. Even if Denver makes it past the first two rounds — which will likely mean at least one matchup against either the Thunder, TrailBlazers or Rockets — they will run into the likely top-seeded and back-to-back-NBA-Champion Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals.

Not to mention a possible matchup with LeBron James and the Lakers in the first round.

But, there is hope for the Nuggets. Denver has the second-best record against Western Conference teams at 24-10 — behind only the Warriors.

Against the top 11 teams in the West — those most poised to make a run for the playoffs — the Nuggets are 15-7. The Rockets are the only team they have a losing record against, losing two of three to Houston so far.

Against the top-5 seeds (the Warriors, Thunder, Blazers and Rockets), Denver is 5-3, including 2-0 marks against both Oklahoma City and Portland.

Continuing up the ladder, the Nuggets have split a pair with Golden State — though both have come at Pepsi Center. Denver beat the Warriors in a 100-98 thriller Oct. 21 before falling in a 142-111 rout Jan. 15 — allowing an NBA-record 51 points in the first quarter.

How the Nuggets mesh once they get a full roster will be key in determining how much success they have once they get to the playoffs.

Speaking of a full roster…

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