NBA: Predicting the West playoff picture at the midway point of the 2017-18 season

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 18: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball in the second half of their 106-96 loss to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)

7. Denver Nuggets

Current Seed: 7th

Record: 21-20

Games remaining vs .500 or better: 23

The Denver Nuggets look poised to make a return to the playoffs, but if they do it’ll be against one of the Western Conference best teams. Denver has the NBA’s 6th best offense and one of the NBA’s best centers in Nikola Jokic, but they badly need the return of Paul Millsap.

Denver likely has enough to make the playoffs, but it will be a close call between them, the Pelicans and the Clippers for two spots.

Prediction: 7 seed