3 things to watch: Denver Nuggets vs. OKC Thunder
By Chris Bolin
The Nuggets have won two straight coming out of the All-Star break to move just one game behind the Warriors for first place in the West. But they’re still just three games up on the third-place Thunder ahead of a matchup Tuesday in Denver. Here are three things to watch as the two teams square off.
This one’s important. There will be a lot on the line when the Thunder come to Pepsi Center Tuesday night to take on the Denver Nuggets.
Though there are still 23 games left before the playoffs start, this one will carry heavy playoff implications.
The Nuggets are sitting in second place in the Western Conference at 41-18 — a game behind the Warriors.
The Thunder sit three games back of the Nuggets at 38-21 after dropping a shootout to the Kings Saturday.
If the Nuggets win, they will hold a four-game advantage — and the season series — over Oklahoma City with just 22 games left.
Denver is 2-0 against the Thunder this season — and have won the past four matchups dating back to last season.
“Sometimes I wonder how in hell we beat that team,” coach Michael Malone said about the Thunder after Sunday’s win. “Because they’re so talented, their defense is great and they’re very physical.”
But it’s not an easy matchup for the Thunder, either. The Nuggets have won four straight and look re-energized since the All-Star break.
I love the fact that we’re winning the way we preach,” Malone said. “We’re defending at a high level, rebounding at a high level and playing unselfish basketball.”
If the Nuggets want to keep their winning streak alive and further solidify themselves as a top-2 seed, that will need to continue against the Thunder.
Here are 3 things to keep an eye on as they try…