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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 – FEBRUARY 27: Paul George (13) of the Oklahoma City Thunder watches as Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots free throws late in the game during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 121-112 win on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER , CO – FEBRUARY 27: Paul George (13) of the Oklahoma City Thunder watches as Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots free throws late in the game during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 121-112 win on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Oklahoma City Thunder

Nuggets Record vs. Thunder: 4-0

This matchup looks amazing on paper. The Nuggets have won all four matchups this year — and the last six going back to last season.

But, I just can’t root for a first-round matchup against Oklahoma City. Not with Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

George is in the MVP conversation this year — and will likely finish third behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden. He’s averaging a career-high 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while playing well enough on the defensive end to be a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year Candidate.

Westbrook won an MVP award just two seasons ago. And even though he has struggled this season — shooting just 28.3 percent from 3-point range and 65.4 percent from the charity stripe — he is still managing to average a triple-double with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10.4 assists.

And the Thunder do have talent outside of those two.

Steven Adams has had a great season, averaging a near-double-double with 14.1 points and 9.5 rebounds. Beyond him, Jerami Grant and Dennis Schroeder are both averaging double-digit points per game.

So, maybe it’s not an ideal first-round matchup, but the season series is hard to argue with. The Nuggets have good reason to be confident against OKC.

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