NFL
By Keith Richards
With 62 games played, the Denver Nuggets are now in the home stretch before the playoffs. While Denver does hold a healthy five-and-a-half-game lead in the Western Conference, there are still 20 games left to play. How the Nuggets play down the home stretch will dictate the momentum they have going into the playoffs.
If the goal is to win a championship, they’ll want to enter the playoffs full steam ahead. Today, I’m going to take a look at the five games that, right now, matter most in the home stretch. If Denver does go on to win it all, we can look back at these five games down the stretch that drove them to the promised land.
5. Memphis Grizzlies 03/03/2023
The first game that matters down the home stretch happens this Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies. What makes this game stand out is that it will be the last time the Nuggets and Grizzles face off down the home stretch. So far, the teams have split the season series at one game a piece. Denver won by 14 in the first meeting and Memphis won by 18 in the second. As of now, the Grizzlies still hold that second seed in the West.
It will be the last chance for the Nuggets to prove they are the superior team. Also, it would certainly pad that five-and-a-half game lead Denver currently holds. The Nuggets will be at home, where they are 28-4. Conversely, the Grizzlies are 11-18 on the road. It should be a very interesting match-up as the home squad has won the first two contests.
4. Milwaukee Bucks 03/25/2023
This is an interesting game down the home stretch for a couple of different reasons. First, and arguably most important, is that the Bucks are a potential opponent for Denver if they reach the Finals. The teams have faced each other only once this season. It was an eight-point win for the Bucks. However, neither Nikola Jokic nor Jamal Murray played. So, this is a good game down the home stretch to see how the Nuggets measure up against some of the best in the Eastern Conference.
It’s an interesting game as well because we don’t know what the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo will be. After suffering a knee injury, the Greek Freak is day-to-day. With the game being a month, I expect he’ll play this vital game in the home stretch but he’s been banged up. If he can’t go, and Denver loses, it’s not a good look for championship aspirations.
3. Phoenix Suns 03/31/2023
Currently, the Suns are ten games back of the Nuggets and sit in fourth place in the Western Conference. What makes this game interesting down the home stretch is the inclusion of Kevin Durant. When Phoenix traded for Durant, they were crowned as the team to beat. Not just in the Western Conference, but in the NBA as a whole. Due to injury, Kevin has yet to play for the Suns but is expected to be back this week.
It would be the third time the teams have played this season. Denver won the first two matchups, and they won the second meeting handily with both Booker and Paul out. If Durant is indeed healthy and playing, this is a prime opportunity for them. They can prove they are still the team to beat down the home stretch in the Western Conference. They can also prove they are one of the best in the association. A win here goes a long way.
2. Golden State Warriors 04/02/2023
The Golden State Warriors have forever been a throne in the side of the Denver Nuggets. This is the last time the two teams meet down the home stretch. What makes this an important game is that the Warriors could very likely be the Nuggets’ first opponent in the first round of the playoffs. With Denver winning the first two games, by five points and 17 points, they cannot give Golden State an inch in this last game.
With the Warriors having beaten the Nuggets 4-1 in last year’s playoffs, Denver could continue to exert their dominance over the Warriors this season. A sizable win could give the Nuggets the mental edge if they do face Golden State in the first round. A loss probably wouldn’t be the end of the world in the standings. It’s all about being mentally prepared for everything.
1. Philadelphia 76ers 03/27/2023
Truthfully, this has very little to do with the playoffs and everything to do with Nikola Jokic’s MVP chances down the home stretch. In an MVP race so tight, perception is everything. If the last thing voters have a memory of between two of the top candidates is the thrashing Embiid gave the Nuggets in their 126-119 victory, it’s not a good look for Nikola Jokic.
While I do disagree that one matchup should hold so much weight, the fact of the matter is that it does. So, when the two teams meet on March 27th, Nikola needs to take it to Joel. A win for the Nuggets and the great game from Jokic won’t decide the MVP vote, but it will sure help. With no other games down the home stretch against potentially MVP candidates, this is Nikola’s last chance to make a strong impression.
We’ll check in with the Nuggets once more before the playoffs start to see where they stand. Until then, if Denver can make strong impressions in these five games, they’ll be sitting pretty. With the playoffs around the corner, be sure to get new gear to represent Mile High Basketball!
