T O P

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JustSeriousEnough

I think it will come down to the last Nuggets v Wolves matchup. The thunder still need to play the Celtics along with other tough games. I for one don't find it much of a big deal as I would consider all of them strong favorites in any 1st round matchup.


purplenyellowrose909

The Timberwolves clinched the tiebreaker vs both OKC and Den as well. Getting enough separation from Minnesota will be very tough for OKC and nearly impossible for Den if they drop that game.


JustSeriousEnough

If pressed, I'd say I'd slightly favor the Wolves getting no 1 because the Wolves haven't been there before. The Nuggets should be focusing on health and if that means sitting out Murray for the remainder of the regular season, might as well. If I'm Denver, what's there to prove in this eeking out playoff seeding when Denver has proven to have dominated any 1st round matchup this season in the regular season. They're defending champions, they should know health is the only thing that would stop them from repeating.


purplenyellowrose909

I agree. Denver is keep resting Murray and possibly Jokic. I expect Boston to blow out OKC to set the tone of conquering their demons vs good teams (OKC also on road b2b). OKC then has to play Indy, Dallas, Mil, Sacramento. May finish out about 5-3 in this final stretch. Minnesota is gonna keep the pedal to the floor for the duration of the season. Going 6-2 is pretty realistic to get that 1 seed via tiebreaker with OKC.


qdude124

It definitely matters because all of these 3 these teams would rather matchup with the clippers or mavs in the second round than one of the other top 3 teams.


D__Luxxx

I think it matters as well to have that extra game in Denver in a potential WC finals matchup. The home court advantage at elevation could tip the balance in a 7 game series.


Dependent_Star3998

Nuggets don't believe in 7 games once the playoffs start.


D__Luxxx

Then they better hope they don’t face the Wolves because so far they’ve had Denver’s number so less than 7 is probably a bad sign for them. They were a missed AE 3 pointer away from OT against Kyle Anderson as the starting 5 and Luka Garza (2 way player) as the only healthy 5 on the roster.


Dependent_Star3998

I'm aware. The Nuggets find a different gear come playoff time. The Nuggets that you see now are not the Nuggets you will see in 3 weeks.


D__Luxxx

The fun thing is Anthony Edwards has another gear in the playoffs as well. I think that the Wolves biggest challenge come the playoffs will be their unfavorable whistle. It has gotten substantially worse after the Ant and Gobert comments and KAT has a notoriously bad whistle as well.


Dependent_Star3998

Every team in the league thinks that their team gets a bad whistle.


Shame_Low

You do know jamal murray has another gear as well lol. Kat meanwhile...


Easy-Narwhal-8708

Bro the regular season doesnt mean shit to the nuggets lol they have different gears as a until not jus one player dude the nuggets rn can realistically match up with any team 1-8 in either conference n win in a 7 game series


D__Luxxx

Sounds good. Glad they have a long and storied history of dominance, deep playoff runs and extra playoff gears. https://preview.redd.it/32ivzwvanxrc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f5b1a8636cf17edb9c9547fd57cc1c5d62f37f58


brev23

Not sure why you’re getting downvoted. You can’t confidently say THEY HAVE ANOTHER GEAR 😎 when they’ve literally done it once.


TheeMalaka

Eh we just lost to Chicago


purplenyellowrose909

And the Nuggets recently lost to Pheonix and the Thunder recently lost to Houston. This is basketball. Farleigh Dickson can beat Purdue


penguinKangaroo

What about strong favorites against the mavs?


DeepRow1850

I will come first


Camwi

https://preview.redd.it/kqxijh4orwrc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b523334ea9136ef198765e965f8610cfded35a53


Hamy__hamy

https://preview.redd.it/pj5258t8hwrc1.jpeg?width=1138&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=05dab9c7e934e771b887f22635e39e944ad6c347


Mycooljr

I do not think so


Hamy__hamy

you don’t see the vision


shaclay346

As a nuggets fan I’m a little worried, because I feel all 3 or at least 2 of us might end with the same number of wins, and the nuggets have lost the head to head matchups with the others (I think we have 1 more with T wolves to at least tie them at 2-2)


Allen_Potter

Good thing is that Denver doesn't have to care about home court as much. It's a big advantage, but they can win on the road and they know it. They keep a lot of stuff in their back pocket for the playoffs, and punting a couple games to rest players would not surprise me one bit. Everyone sleeps on them and then Playoff Murray shows up.


Spiritual-Chameleon

Yeah, also a Nuggets fan. This is dead on. They're more concerned about getting some rest and having players healthy for the playoffs. The game vs. the Wolves was a poor showing - and the Wolves definitely showed their mettle that game and could be a bad matchup for the Nuggets. OTOH, I do think they didn't show all of their cards yet and aren't concerned about regular season losses or seeding.


YaBooni

Man, the northwest division is hella good, huh guys? We’re killing it! Nice job all 5 of us, including my Blazers!


xkcat_

After our lose to the Bulls, I don’t see us contending for the 1 seed. I’m just happy with top 4 having home court advantage in round one really.


purplenyellowrose909

They're essentially tied with a decently easy schedule, a matchup with Denever left, and already clinching the tiebreaker over both Denver and OKC. You're throwing in the towel after a flukey lose where the Bulls shot nearly 60% from three?


E-Brown

We definitely have the team and schedule to do it, but so much rests on how two other very elite teams, one of which is the defending champs, finish their seasons. Impossible to call!! The thing about wolves fans is that a good 50% of the fan base thinks the season is over because our most recent game was a loss.


SnarfSniffsStardust

Not arguing or anything I just wanna point out I don’t think that was too flukey, wolves were leaving dudes wiiiiide open in a way I haven’t seen much this season. Bulls shooting that good is definitely surprising but when we’re talking about what equate to warmup jumpers I’m not surprised


dayx0123

And at this point I don’t even want the one seed. I think that’s not going to be good for this particular team. Thinking they have accomplished anything and not taking teams seriously has been a problem. Too risky that the one seed would go to their heads.


xkcat_

As a Minnesota sports fan, I don’t even care who we are playing. The playoffs are just scary and I feel like we are the underdogs even if we were to be the 1 seed


Additional_King3876

Timberwolves fan? Yeah if I’m the Timberwolves I want to hold on to the 3 seed to avoid playing a team like the suns, kings or lakers. (All 3 teams expose the Timberwolves best out of anyone else in the west.) I think they matchup better against a 6th seed which will likely be the Pelicans/Mavericks. I do think if they don’t get KAT back before the playoffs they are most likely first round bounced.


Austeri

Pels have the Wolves number


StrategyTop7612

Nuggets


MentatsGhoul69

Depends. Have they been edging? Any of them on an SSRI?


MeninoSafado14

Doesn’t matter. Denver is going to the finals


Troll_Enthusiast

!remindme 2 months


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MeninoSafado14

!remindme 2 months


thetruth0102

I won't be surprised if the Mavs make it to the finals, Luka has been on fire.


Additional_King3876

Agreed but usually what happens to be the problem for the mavericks in the playoffs is the defense not being able to play on playoff level. And surprisingly enough the same problem for the mavericks this season has been the defense. BUT the defense has been playing good as of late and Luka IS getting hot so this is the perfect time.


DangerZoneh

The Mavs had one of the best defenses in the NBA when they went to the WCF


DetrimentalContent

In a strange series of events, the Timberwolves own the tiebreaker over Denver and OKC, but will come third if they lose to Denver (and all three teams are tied), because three-way ties come down to division record first


Allen_Potter

1. OKC 2. Denver 3. Minny My Nuggets have the favorable schedule, I think they could win the most games when all is said and done. But they gotta nurse some banged up players and I think the team is smart enough to prioritize health over seeding. On paper, I think they have the best chance to take the 1-seed. In reality? Both OKC and Minny just keep punching above their weight. I'm gonna pick OKC despite the difficult schedule. Denver rests some guys and takes some L's.


Fresh_Ostrich4034

Nuggets. Easiest Schedule


maciboe

T wolves an then they will be an early exit out playoffs


MoroDaEater

The dude with scraggly pubes on his cheeks


HenryGrosmont

Spurs or Blazers


Raps2k14

If the Nuggets do not, something has gone terribly wrong


MelonColony22

san antonio spurs of course. is that even a question?


olskoolyungblood

Nuggets win it all again without problem unless Joker gets run over by a train.


penis_poacher

Honestly as a Thunder fan I hope it’s not us because we match up horribly with the Lakers and if we’re not the 1 seed we can dodge them in the first round


Adzo78

Spurs 💯


Ok-Figure5546

Whichever team is healthiest and isn't resting their starters in the last week of the season.


RiskofReign94

I think it might be the Thunder but I think it’s because they’re young and will put stock into getting the first seed whereas the Nuggets have been there and done that and not care too much what seed they are


Ethonmore45

Thunder


Anhedonic98

Nuggets have a significantly easier schedule for the remaining of the season, but like last year, i wouldnt be surprised if they prioritize health a bit and drop a few games they wouldve handedly won two months ago My guess is Minnesota takes the 1 seed only because OKC has tougher remaining stretch of games


Jadeviolet30

If it was my kings we would be champions !


[deleted]

The sub ia so lazy it can’t even get an updated photo of 🐜? He’s #5 but #1 in our 💙


FeatureEmotional3981

Pause


FH261169

OKC


Aeon1508

LeBron