The J-Notes
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Who Should Utah Jazz Fans Cheer For to Earn the Eighth Seed?

By Jared Woodcox

Jan 26, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate with the rest of his team after taking the lead in the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz won 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate with the rest of his team after taking the lead in the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz won 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts as he walks off the court after the game against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-110. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts as he walks off the court after the game against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-110. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Nuggets

Games Back From Eighth Place: 0

Key Strength: Three-Point Shooting and Nikola Jokic

Key Weakness: Defense

The Denver Nuggets are the team that currently resides in eighth place and given their surprisingly solid play this season and relatively manageable remaining schedule (although they do still have to play the Pelicans three times which could be key contests), I wouldn’t be surprised to see them stay put.

I know, I’ve picked two key strengths for the Nuggets, but since they’re the team that actually would face the Warriors if the playoffs started today and have logged the most convincing victory over them of any of these teams, I’ve awarded them that benefit.

Call it a fluke, but Denver’s recent victory over Golden State was indeed exhilarating. Sure, the Warriors were missing Klay Thompson, but the Nuggets just so happened to be missing about half their team. OK, so I’m exaggerating a little, but Denver was without Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Darrell Arthur, Kenneth Faried and Emmanuel Mudiay who are all key contributors.

Nevertheless, the Nuggets put up a three-point barrage, tying an NBA record by sinking 24 threes en route to an incredible 132-110 victory.

And the ability to do just that is what could make the Nuggets dangerous. They are currently seventh in the league in three-point percentage at 37.1 percent and have a host of capable shooters that are able to get hot at any moment. The Nuggets are also fourth in the league in terms of points per game, trailing only the Warriors, Rockets and Cavs, so there’s no questioning that they can get it going.

They also have the ability to capitalize on Golden State’s key weakness in the frontcourt since they boast one of the best young big men in the league in Nikola Jokic. Jokic put up an incredible 17-point, 21-rebound and 12-assist triple-double in that recent win over the Warriors and is rapidly turning into a star before our eyes.

His skill in the paint, his awesome rim protection and his ability to stretch the floor are all qualities that make Jokic a daunting opponent and one that could truly cause headaches for the Warriors.

Nevertheless, much like the Blazers, the Nuggets struggle immensely defensively. They rank third to last in the league in opponent points per game, giving up 111.8 points per contest. True, some of that is due to the blazing fast pace they play at (which actually could be viewed as yet another strength), but the reality is that their defense will likely not be enough to slow an electrifying Warriors offense.

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