Friday Faceoff: Is playoff seeding or rest more important for the Nuggets?
Friday Faceoff: Is playoff seeding or rest more important for the Nuggets?
Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor
Answer: Playoff seeding
If the Nuggets look at the Western Conference standings, they probably see that their road to the conference finals is a tough one.
But if this team falls to the No. 5 seed or worse, it could mean a series with the Lakers and a series with the Thunder. And the Nuggets would not have homecourt advantage in either showdown.
Yikes.
During the last two playoff runs, the Nuggets have scored big road wins at Minnesota, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Miami. When Nikola Jokic is on the floor, Denver always has a chance.
That chance is much better when more games are at Ball Arena. And if the Lakers and Thunder are the matchups, do you think Nuggets coach Michael Malone and the team will love the whistle they get on those opponents’ floor?
About two weeks ago it seemed like the Nuggets were destined for the No. 2 seed and homecourt through the first two rounds. Now they sit in the fourth seed and one game up on Memphis after a loss to the Wizards, with a full squad, and a loss to the Lakers without Jamal Murray and Jokic.
The Nuggets need to rest Jokic, Murray and Aaron Gordon when they can, but the seed is just as important. To have any path to the NBA title, Denver needs games at Ball Arena.
Having 11 losses at home already is not normal for the group. But the playoffs will be a different story. Denver seems to have belief at home in the playoffs.
And they will need it to be considered a title contender again.
Vinny Benedetto, Nuggets reporter
Answer: Rest
If the last couple of weeks showed anything it’s that the Nuggets are just as capable of beating anyone as they are of losing to anyone.
That’s why it’s imperative that the Nuggets are as fresh as possible to start the playoffs. Denver was 3.5 games clear of the play-in spots with 12 games to go at the start of Thursday. That’s enough cushion to prioritize health without risking their spot in the top six.
Let last year be a lesson that health should be the top priority for Michael Malone’s bunch. The Nuggets were fighting for the top seed until a costly defeat at San Antonio in Game 81. That pursuit came with a cost once the playoffs started. Denver doesn’t give up a 20-point lead in the second half of Game 7 against the Timberwolves if there isn’t some fatigue involved.
The standings are more packed this year than last, so it’s going to be harder to manipulate matchups. Let Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Julian Strawther’s various injuries fully heal. Let the young guys who are hoping to be part of Denver’s playoff rotation handle the heavy minutes, even if it costs a couple of wins.
The guys who will determine Denver’s success this season have plenty of postseason experience together. Let them make the most of it by being fresh from the start of what could be another long playoff run with some extra rest down the stretch, and a little injury luck.
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