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Nuggets: Predicting How The Final 10 Games Will Play Out

By Kyle Standfield

Mar 24, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts to a game sealing 3 point basket in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 125-117. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts to a game sealing 3 point basket in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 125-117. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) defends against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) defends against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

March 26 vs Pelicans

When the Pelicans acquired DeMarcus Cousins from the Kings at the trade deadline many people predicted New Orleans would offer up the biggest threat to the Nuggets’ playoff hopes. But really, the Pelicans were a long way back in the loss column when Cousins arrived in the Big Easy and would have needed to reel off a long win streak to get back into contention. This required the team being able to figure out how to play Cousins and Anthony Davis together quickly, something that isn’t exactly easy or simple to do. They struggled in the first few weeks but have picked up their play recently, with the teams defense shining. Still, expect Denver to get the job done against the Pelicans at the Pepsi Center.

Result: Win

March 28 @ Portland

Make no mistake, this is THE biggest game of the season, and arguably, the biggest game for the franchise since Denver’s last playoff game in 2013. Denver know this is a must-win game, as do the Trail Blazers. Whoever wins this game essentially takes over as the favorite to win the eighth seed. Denver can move a whole game ahead of Portland while the Blazers would leapfrog Denver into the final playoff spot due to the fact they have the tie breaker over the Nuggets. Add in the fact that it’s the first time Denver have seen Jusuf Nurkic in a Blazer jersey, and this one is going to be epic. Call me a ‘glass-half-full’ type of guy, but I have faith in the Nuggets. They get the win here in what will be the game of the season.

Result: Win

March 31 @ Charlotte

This is a massive trap game for the Nuggets, coming off what will be a highly emotional game against the Blazers. The Hornets got the better of Denver at the Pepsi Center recently, a loss that could come back to haunt the Nuggets. Denver, I suspect, may be out for some revenge here. Despite the potential for a trap game against an Eastern Conference team that is essentially out of the playoff picture, Denver get the W here. They will want to even the score from their earlier meeting from a few weeks ago.

Result: Win

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