Denver Nuggets
Early on in the season, the Denver Nuggets were struggling a little bit as they dealt with some COVID-19 related problems and were still trying to figure things out on the wing without Jerami Grant. Now, the Nuggets have won 15 of their last 18 games and currently find themselves just six games back from the Utah Jazz for the 1-seed in the Western Conference.
After acquiring Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline, the Nuggets now have one of the best starting fives in the entire league and they have plenty of firepower to match up with virtually any team. Their secondary players and bench is definitely above-average as well, which is why the Nuggets definitely have a shot to make it back to the Western Conference Finals this season.
Nikola Jokic looks to be the front-runner for the MVP award right now and for good reason, as he is averaging 26.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 8.9 assists and shooting 57% from the floor, 42.7% from three-point range.
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With Jokic playing the best basketball of his career, along with Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. all having the ability to score 20+ points on any given night, the Nuggets are not just a team that can score in bunches, but a team that can wear down opponents.
Monte Morris, Paul Millsap, JaMychal Green and P.J. Dozier are all key contributors in the second-unit for Denver this season, which is why this team may have their best chance to contend for a championship since 2009 when Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups and Carmleo Anthony led the Nuggets to the Western Conference Championship, eventually losing to Kobe Bryant and the soon-to-be NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Denver is not an easy team to beat and they currently hold the league’s top active win streak at six games.
