The Denver Nuggets have an interesting schedule this week. Nugg Love briefly touches on each matchup.
Following the successful 3-1 outing last week, the Denver Nuggets find themselves in a favoring position. However, there is a back-to-back on this week’s schedule, albeit to inferior teams. The Nuggets finish off the week versus a surprisingly successful Eastern Conference playoff contender.
The Nuggets own the second-best record in the Western Conference, with much thanks to the 10-point victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Although, despite overcoming a championship contender, Denver also lost to a distraught Cleveland Cavalier at home.
No matter what the schedule looks like, Denver is in no position to downplay any opponent on its agenda. At this point in the year, random victories seemingly occur weekly. NBA scheduling, with how its orchestrated, encourages trap games and setups.
Nonetheless, the Denver Nuggets have momentum and must continue to separate itself from the lower seeds. Denver’s first game of the week comes Wednesday versus a team oozing with upset potential.
Charlotte Hornets
Sure-thing bets don’t exist. No reputable sports site projected the Charlotte Hornets as a bubble playoff team. However, the seemingly dead in the water franchise has a better record than the Golden State Warriors.
Gambling is a dangerous activity. No one envisioned Devonte’ Graham -a former second-round pick without a guaranteed contract- to lead the forgotten Hornets from the abyss to a mediocre Eastern Conference team.
However, the shocking efforts from free agency splash Terry Rozier and diamond in the dirt, Graham, give this game a new wrinkle than previously thought. The two guards shoot a combined 38 percent from deep on 675 attempts. Denver must contain the two guards.
Golden State Warriors
Continuing the theme of surprise, the Golden State Warriors come into Denver as the second-worst team in the NBA. Injuries crippled the former NBA bullies from contending this season, and also snatched a potential MVP performance from Stephen Curry.
However, the team isn’t without talent, despite possessing absolute garbage-fire of a record. Aside from D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green suiting up for the Warriors, Steve Kerr does have other players at his disposal.
Glenn Robinson and Eric Paschall provide the team with energy and the element of surprise. The aforementioned Green doesn’t allow the Warriors to completely mail-in games, regardless of what the win-loss column signifies.
The Denver Nuggets don’t have this win in the bag, especially considering the contest in on the second night of a back-to-back schedule. Consider this game the “trap of the week” and don’t expect a 20-point blowout in the Nuggets’ favor.
Indiana Pacers
This week is full of surprises, and Sunday’s matchup is no different. Although the Indiana Pacers lost Paul George, the proud franchise has yet to succumb to lottery basketball. The Pacers posses the sixth-spot of the Eastern Conference in light of the multiple injuries to its core.
Without the contributions from its injured franchise player Victor Oladipo, the Pacers utilize six double-digit scorers. Domantas Sabonis, amid an All-Star season, gives the Pacers some legitimacy. Between his rebounding and underrated ability to create, allows the Pacers to incorporate another big into the lineup, Myles Turner.
Turner’s willingness to shoot the three and shot-blocking expertise makes for a challenging assignment for Nikola Jokic. The scoring combo of Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren will give Denver’s defense fits.
As the Pacers pick up steam while the return of Oladipo imminent, consider this the most competitive game of the week.