How the Denver Nuggets stack up against their potential opponents

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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With home court advantage just about sealed, the Denver Nuggets can start to scheme for their first-round opponent. The 5-7 seeds in the Western Conference are separated by just one game, so the Nuggets will have to prepare for three very different series’.

Denver will surely finish in the third or fourth spot, which practically guarantees them a matchup against either one of the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, or the Los Angeles Lakers. Either one of these opponents would definitely result in a hard-fought series that could very well go the distance.

Whoever they play, the Nuggets will have to focus on cultivating their strengths to be successful. After Jamal Murray’s injury, the Nuggets offense will have to run through Nikola Jokic that much more. Statistically speaking, the Nuggets offense is far less efficient when Jokic is on the floor without the Kitchener, Ontario native. This leaves a lot of room for players like Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Will Barton to step up.

Let’s take a look at how Head Coach Michael Malone can attack each one of these possible matchups.

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