Ahead of their second-round matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, we explore why the Denver Nuggets are primed for a Conference Finals appearance
The Denver Nuggets face an uphill battle as they prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Semifinals.
During the regular season, the Nuggets beat Portland three out of four times. In those wins, Jokic had big games and averaged 25.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 8.7 APG. However, the key to Denver’s success was their supporting cast.
In their first matchup this season, the Nuggets bench dropped 30 points and Jamal Murray and Gary Harris combined for 49 points. In their second matchup, Denver’s bench only scored 25 points and Murray dropped another 24. However, Jokic had a huge night and scored 40 points. In their third win, Millsap and Murray dropped a combined 48 points. And Denver’s bench tallied 39 points.
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After facing the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, though, the Nuggets are prepared for Portland. Playing a seven-game series against the Spurs in the first round was perhaps the greatest test for the young Nuggets.
It was one heck of a first test for a team that had not qualified for the playoffs in a decade. Facing the most disciplined team in the NBA and the best-coached team represented the perfect challenge for the inexperienced Nuggets.
Since 1967, the Spurs have only missed the playoffs five times. And the Spurs have made the playoffs in each of the last 22 consecutive seasons and they have missed the playoffs once in the last 30 years. In 20 of the last 22 playoffs, every team that has eliminated the Spurs in the playoffs has either made it to the Western Finals or NBA Finals.
No other team in professional sports can boost such consistency.
However, Denver prevailed. And this year’s Nuggets are different than the Nuggets of past years.
Last season, the Nuggets where one game away from making the playoffs. Their season ended in a heartbreaking fashion. Making the playoffs came down to an overtime game 82 against a healthy, fully stacked Minnesota Timberwolves.
However, the Nuggets, last season, established themselves as a real threat in a very competitive Western Conference. So, what makes them different this year? The Nuggets have completely transformed defensively.
Last season, the Nuggets struggled defensively and depended mostly on winning home games. However, this season they have found their defensive groove against even some of the NBA’s best offensive teams. And they have perfected guarding the 3-point line. Now, they are a top 3 defensive team in the NBA and one of the top 5 teams at guarding the 3-point line.
The Nuggets’ real secret weapon is Nikola Jokic, aka the Joker. This season, the Joker is performing like an MVP candidate and his game is reminiscent of Tim Duncan. He is a solid defender (at times), rebounder, but most importantly his ability to make plays sets him apart from other centers. He helps the Nuggets spread the floor. He can basically impact the game without scoring a point.
The Joker can score when called upon during a game. Jokic can shoot from anywhere on the floor and is extremely efficient offensively. He also does not have an ego and is focused on winning; which is rare for a player of his skill level.
The Nuggets, in building their team around the Joker, are basically the Spurs 2.0. The Nuggets play hard and do not depend solely on any one player for their success on the offensive or defensive end of the court. Playing the Nuggets becomes a challenge for any team because you cannot simply beat them with luck or by stopping any one player. Their offense can come from so many players that the other team simply has to play better basketball to beat them.
The only other comparable teams that can perform at such a high level while missing key assets are the Celtics or the Warriors.
This season, the Nuggets are arguably the hardest home team to beat. They had the best home record during the regular season, at 34-7. Good luck, Portland.
The Blazers vs. Nuggets will be an absolute battle in the second round. However, because the Nuggets have homecourt advantage, they surely have a slight edge heading into the series.