Why not? Both games earlier this season were close. And look how we bounced back from getting thumped by Jazz twice. We won 2 straight against them. Almost everyone on the Nuggets have never played in the playoffs before and they completely choked on closing night last season. I’d say we’re favored to win both to tie up series. MUCH more likely than them winning both.
Three reasons. Denver is a better team than Portland and Utah. Denver is healthy and isn't missing CJ and Nurk. Denver is fighting for the #1 seed.
Denver's remaining schedule is TOUGH: 04/02 @Warriors - highly likely L 04/03 Spurs - back to back and letdown spot, possible L 04/05 Blazers - most likely W 04/07 @Blazers - possible L 04/09 @Jazz - very possible L 04/10 TWolves - most likely W If this scenario plays out and we don't screw up against the Grizzlies, Lakers and Kings, then we would finish ahead of the Nuggets.
Denver may well not be better than Portland--they presently have a better record, but that can easily change. Can't argue this, although I might argue that we haven't really missed CJ all that much. Denver won't be fighting for the 1 seed for long. After they lose tonight they'll be as close to the 4 as the 1. Portland has just as much seeding to fight for as Denver; even more really, since home court in the first round is still up in the air.
Nuggets would win the division if they are tied with Blazers. So Houston would be 2 Denver 3 and Blazers 4th seed if we had a 3 way tie.
I'm almost certain his 3-way tie breaking scenarios are not 100% correct. I believe when there's a 3-way tie, they go through the criteria until the "winner" is selected. After that, it reverts to a 2-way tie & the "two-way tie" criteria is applied between the remaining teams.
How is Utah better than Portland? We beat them twice and have a better record. And Denver is in danger of falling to 4 seed.
If Denver loses tomorrow, all we have to do is win our remaining games and we’re the 2 seed. Amazing that we’re in this position.
I dont even want the 2 seed. I'd rather face the Clippers in the 1st round than the Spurs or Thunder.