When playing in the Western Conference there are few teams that are able to get out of the shadow of the giants that have dominated the group for so long. Behind the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers; a number of groups are battling to hold onto key playoff positions. The Denver Nuggets are playing well above expectations and looking to make a run towards the playoffs.
Winners of 5 out of their last 6 games, Denver is playing well behind a complete cast of characters. Since trading Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks back in 2011, the Nuggets have not had a franchise type player that grabs the headlines as other personalities throughout the league. Still, they have been able to maintain consistent play throughout the year.
In these five wins, the Nuggets have stayed along the course that has helped them become the third best scoring team in the league. The team has averaged 109 points in their recent wins against the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, LA Lakers, Portland Trailblazers and OKC Thunder. At the same time there defense hasn’t been the best as their opponents have been able to score more than 100 points in nearly all of the games during this run.
The Nuggets have six different players that are averaging double figures this season which is helping them sustain this run without a major name. Ty Lawson has continually lived up to the new contract he signed this year as his current numbers are 22.6 points and 7.3 assists during these last six games. Other players on the roster have contributed as well but none at the level as the former North Carolina Tar Heel.
As the games continue on the Nuggets have a solid shot at moving into the fourth spot in the West which would give them a home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. Their 25-3 record is second to only the Miami Heat for the best home court record in the entire NBA.
The Denver Nuggets have played very well this year without the star power that other organizations across the league boast on their rosters. Even still they are standing out as one of the teams to watch in the final leg of the 2012-2013 NBA season.
Comments