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Denver Nuggets: Ranking Denver’s playoff opponents

By Chris Bolin

DENVER, CO - MARCH 12: Gary Harris #14 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 12, 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)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 12: Gary Harris #14 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 12, 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) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 31: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 31, 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)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 31: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 31, 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) /

The Denver Nuggets have already clinched their first playoff bid since 2013. But not all matchups are created equal.

It’s an exciting time to be a Denver Nuggets fan — which for the Mile High faithful seems few and fr between.

It feels like a long time since the Nuggets made the playoffs back in 2013 — probably because it has been.

Since then, there hasn’t been a lot to get excited about. Before finishing 46-36 last season, the Nuggets were just 139-189 in the four seasons prior — including a very forgetful season-plus with Brian Shaw.

But after a win over the Boston Celtics on March 18, the Nuggets put an end to that drought.

This season, they’ve started a new chapter. Shipping Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried out over the summer officially marked the last of the so called “old guard.”

And the emergence of Monte Morris and Malik Beasley have given the Nuggets a great young bench prescence.

Denver held the No. 1 seed for most of the first part of the season. And since a drubbing the Warriors handed the Nuggets on Jan. 15, Golden State has pretty consistently held the top spot.

But, it will likely be a race to the finish.

And with how the bottom half of the Western Conference playoff race is shaping up, who knows how much the top seed will actually help Denver.

Yes, home court advantage is huge. Playing at altitude, the Nuggets have an especially big advantage in the Mile HIgh City.

The Nuggets are 31-6 at home this season — the best mark in the NBA. So it becomes all about matchups.

So, lets rank the potential Nuggets playoff opponents. Starting with No. 7 (most favorable for Denver) to No. 1 (the least favorable — and obviously the Warriors).

But first, lets take a look at the playoff race.

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