How the hiatus affects all 30 NBA teams

Denver Nuggets: Recharging the batteries of a fringe contender

Only 1.5 games separated the Denver Nuggets from the 2-seed in the West, but with a 5-6 record over their last 11 games, this iffy contender was looking a little haggard. Their ragged defense was the culprit behind a month-long slide, with the Nuggets dropping to 20th in defensive rating over that stretch and surrendering 113.6 points per 100 possessions.

Up to that point in the season, Denver had ranked 10th in defensive rating, giving up a vastly superior 108.0 points per 100 possessions. After confounding no-shows against the lowly Cavs and Golden State Warriors, a 29-point loss to the LA Clippers prompted head coach Mike Malone to call his team “soft” and question their resolve.

Whether it was just a good team experiencing the doldrums of the season or trying to reincorporate everyone upon finally getting healthy, the Nuggets appeared ready for it to just be playoff time. Even if they don’t have time for everyone to get comfortable once the NBA returns, perhaps all this time off and a truncated schedule would help them steel their minds for the postseason, when games will actually matter again.