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The Denver Nuggets finished 2nd in the Northwest Division with a 45-37 record, 6 games behind the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets were 23-18 at home and a very solid 22-19 on the road. They were 27-25 against the Western Conference and 9-7 against Division foes. They averaged 105.4 points per game and allowed 103.7 points per game. They Nuggets come into their playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs on a very hot streak, having won 9 of their last 10 games.
J.R. Smith looked so good early in the season before he injured himself. This April he hasn’t played too well and the Nuggets need his shooting in the playoffs if they have any hope of advancing past the first round. Smith has played in 7 games this month and he’s only averaging 6.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. He also has only shot 39.5% from the floor and that just won’t get it done for the Nuggets.
A lot of people tend to focus on Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony because they are the stars of the Nuggets. But, the play of power forward Nene’ and center Marcus Camby the last two weeks are why the Nuggets are starting to soar. Nene’ is finally turning into the player the Nuggets thought they had when they gave him a big-money contract in the off-season. Over his last 8 games, Nene’ has averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He also has shot an amazing 65.1% from the floor! Camby has also been great the last two weeks. In the 8 games that Camby has played the last couple of weeks, he’s averaged 10.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. Camby is the only really good defensive player on the Nuggets and they will need to keep him healthy in the playoffs if they have hopes on getting out of the first round.
The Denver Nuggets have won 5 games in a row and have surged into the #6 spot in the Western Conference Playoff Standings. They have moved a 1/2 a game ahead of the Lakers who are starting to fade a little bit. The Nuggets have to keep playing well because the Clippers are 2.5 games back in the #8 slot and the Warriors are 3.5 games back. But, the Nuggets are now 40-36 and are clicking on all cylinders. Right now they would be matched up with the Spurs if the playoffs started today.