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How the NBA has changed since the Denver Nuggets last playoff berth

By Chris Bolin

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 27: Linas Kleiza #11 of the Toronto Raptors looks to drive against Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Denver Nuggets on January 27, 2012 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 27: Linas Kleiza #11 of the Toronto Raptors looks to drive against Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Denver Nuggets on January 27, 2012 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2013. Here’s what the playoff picture looked like back then.

Well, it’s felt real for awhile now but it’s finally official.

With a 114-105 win over the Boston Celtics Monday, the Denver Nuggets clinched their first playoff berth since 2013.

That series didn’t go so well, as it served as a break out party of sorts for the Splash Brother and Golden State Warriors.

A lot has changed since then. Let’s take a look by conference.

Eastern Conference

At the time, the LeBron James and the Miami Heat were the clear title favorites — a dubbing they later lived up to thanks in large part to Ray Allen.

In the Eastern Conference finals, they beat an upstart Indiana Pacers team — headed by Paul George, Roy Hibbert and David West.

The Orlando Magic missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006 after trading Dwight Howard— coming off six-straight All-Star appearances — prior to the season.

Carmelo Anthony — then still known of former Nuggets fame — led the Knicks to the second seed with a 54-28 record and New York’s first Atlantic Division title since the 1993-94 season.

Western Conference

The Warriors team that upset the Nuggets was making its first playoff appearance since 2007. It’s no surprise Golden State has made it every year since.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were the top seed in the West, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook after shipping James Harden to the Rockets before the season.

The grit-and-grind Memphis Grizzlies team — headed by Mike Conley and Marc Gasol — made it to the conference finals — topping that Thunder team in five games in the semis.

Related Story. Denver Nuggets playoff tracker. light

The San Antonio Spurs were the No. 2 seed — eventuallly sweeping the Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals. That year marked the 16th straight year the Spurs made the playoffs. Barring extreme circumstances, they will extend that streak to 22 this season — some things never change.

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