NBA games of the week: West finally takes shape
By Chazz Scogna
Monday, Apr. 9: Portland at Denver, 9:00 p.m. ET
To make the playoffs, the Nuggets have to go 2-0, or 1-1, while Oklahoma City and New Orleans goes 0-2, or else their out. Basically, just win out.
The Nuggets are finally kicking into something. After spending most of the season unable to break from the malaise that held them back, they’ve busted off five straight wins, their latest the one that knocked out the Clippers.
During their streak, they lead the league in offensive rating, scoring 116.6 points per 100 possessions. In fact, four of the their starting five — Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic — are all in the top 10 in offensive rating for players averaging at least 32 minutes. That makes sense considering the team is in the midst of its best stretch of the season, but it’s also alarming how well the starters have to play for the Nuggets to go on a run at all.
Jokic has enetered that other realm that made us fall for him. In April, albeit four games, he’s averaging 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. His 3-point shooting has ignited since struggling in November, December and January.
Denver’s bulldozing into the playoff race isn’t over either. If they can beat the Blazers, it leaves Portland exposed to a final charge from Utah. If the Jazz finish the final week 2-0, then they’ll snatch the third-seed. For the Nuggets, shaking up the standings is the only way to make it.