Playing three games in four days is challenging. Winning two of those three contests would satisfy most teams. Although the Nuggets may regularly fall into that category, they did not need to worry this time around. Going up against the Kings (twice) and the Trail Blazers in a four-night span, Denver went ahead and won all three.
Spanning back to the Saturday before the all-star break, the Nuggets have won six-straight games, the NBA’s longest active winning streak. Denver has secured wins against the Raptors, Magic, Warriors, Kings (twice), and Trail Blazers during this streak. The Magic currently reside in the NBA’s basement with the league’s worst record. The Kings are not much better. Meanwhile, the Raptors and Blazer are in the mix for the play-in tournament content. Toronto could potentially avoid the play-in games and secure a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference, with plenty remaining games. Portland, on the other hand, could miss the tournament entirely.
Of course, the most notable victory during Denver’s current streak came against Golden State right before the break. Thanks to Monte Morris’s buzzer-beater, the Nuggets secured a 117-116 win over the Warriors in enemy territory. Continuing to make his case for league MVP, Nikola Jokic dropped 35 points while adding 17 rebounds and eight assists to his stat line. Especially without Draymond Green, the Warriors are not the dominant force they once were. However, they remain one of the league’s top teams. Whether you feel about the other five games in Denver’s current winning streak, taking down Golden State serves as a statement victory.
MONTE MORRIS BUZZER BEATER pic.twitter.com/Rbzn21338V
— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) February 17, 2022
How High Can Nuggets Climb?
Riding a six-game winning streak, the Nuggets find themselves heating up at the right time. Currently holding the sixth seed, Denver is right behind the Dallas Mavericks with identical records. Yes, both teams arguably possess MVP-caliber stars, but the Nuggets seem to have the more talented roster, especially once they become healthier. Eliminating the idea of Denver getting surpassed by a team currently behind them in standings, one can easily imagine them safely rising to the fifth seed by the season’s end.
The real question is whether the organization can climb even higher. The four teams ahead of the Nuggets in the standings are the Suns, Warriors, Grizzlies, and Jazz. Even with Chris Paul sidelined for the foreseeable future, nobody is dethroning Phoenix as the top team in the West. Realistically, the only team with a real chance of passing Golden State for second place is Memphis. The Grizzlies are currently one game behind the Warriors, while Utah sits 4.5 games behind them. A scenario exists when Utah surpasses Memphis for the three-seed, but it seems unlikely.
If Denver were to move past the fifth-seed, it would likely be only up to one spot, passing Utah for fourth. Sitting just 2.5 games behind the Jazz, it is certainly possible. However, we are witnessing a Jazz team getting hot at the correct time, winning eight of their last two games.
Either way you slice it, Denver possesses a challenging postseason match-up for whoever draws them in round one. Regardless of where they finish, as long as it’s in the top-six, the Nuggets are fully capable of stealing a series.
Expecting Reinforcements
Not only is Denver starting to roll at the right time, but they may also begin getting healthy at the appropriate time as well. Playing a combined nine games this season, the Nuggets have been without two of their most important players for a majority of the 2021-22 campaign.
Recovering from a torn ACL, Jamal Murray has missed the season’s entirety to this point. His return is still questionable, and one has to imagine a limited impact if he does return. However, Denver received the good news that Michael Porter Jr., cleared for on-court contact, could return sometime in March. Yes, it will take time for him to get back into the swing of things, but a chance exists to provide a little extra punch for the team come playoff time.
There is a ‘strong sense’ from the Nuggets that Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. could make a return by the playoffs, per @sam_amick pic.twitter.com/nv9Q8XvTTN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 28, 2022
Even if they are not their 2020-21 selves, Denver getting Porter Jr. and Murray back in some capacity for the postseason makes them more dangerous. Adding them to a team that feels dangerous even without two of their more significant pieces can do wonders for confidence.
The Upcoming Schedule
With the winning streak currently at six, Denver’s upcoming schedule bodes well for extending the consecutive victories a bit longer. They play two struggling teams in Oklahoma City and Houston at home this week before playing a very beatable Pelicans team (also at home) on Sunday. If the Nuggets continue playing the way they have been, they are looking at possibly being on the cusp of a ten-game winning streak when they play Golden State at home next Monday.
When you look at the Eastern and Western Conference together, there are a lot of intriguing teams demanding respect. After each win, Denver is finding itself in that category as well.
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