The Nuggets are currently 47-28, and in fourth place in the Western Conference standings. They've moved up from sixth and gained the advantage of home court in the first round of the playoffs instead of going out on the road, but in doing so, they've also put themselves on a course to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, currently in fifth place, in the first round. They know the T-Wolves all too well.
The Timberwolves ended Denver's season in the 2023-24 playoffs, defeating the Nuggets 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals, and they always play the Nuggets tough.
The Timberwolves play the Nuggets tough because they're practically "built to guard Nikola Jokic. They are built to go up against that particular type of team," says Fred Katz on "The Athletic NBA Daily" podcast. And judging by the Nuggets' 11-16 record against the Timberwolves since 2021-22, including the playoffs, you could say he's right.
The Nuggets had their best season in years against Minnesota
But things were different this year against the Timberwolves. The Nuggets took the season series 3-1 and control the tiebreaker and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs if they both finish the season with the same record in fourth place.
That's key for a Nuggets team that has had one of the worst travel schedules in the league, and any advantage against your nemesis is an advantage you want to take.
And this year, in the Christmas Day nightcap, Nikola Jokic had perhaps his finest game, maybe ever. Jokic scored 56 points on 71% shooting, including 22-23 from the free-throw line, while adding 16 rebounds and 15 assists in the 142-138 overtime win. It was an epic performance.
The Nuggets' lone loss to the Timberwolves came on March 1st, when the Nuggets were in the middle of an up-and-down stretch that saw them go 8-11 over 19 games dating back to Jan. 18th.
Nuggets have turned a corner since the T-Wolves loss
There must have been something that sparked the Nuggets after their home loss to Minnesota, 117-108. Because from March 1st onward, the Nuggets are 10-4 and playing pretty well.
They've won five in a row, including a 7-3 record in the clutch this month. The Nuggets have struggled mightily with close games this year, but they've finally found some footing, and they were nearly 9-1in the clutch this month. The Nuggets lost on two last-second shots, one to the Lakers and one to the Thunder, that could have easily been wins.
There's a lot to be hopeful about heading into the playoffs. If the seeding ends up this way, the Nuggets seem to be set up for success against a familiar foe.