Denver Nuggets realize defending their NBA championship will be a tough task in improved West

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Denver Nuggets News

Mike Malone,Nikola Jokic,NBA

The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets placed a premium on heading into the playoffs at optimal health rather than going all out for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference like they had a year ago.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson, front left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, April 12, 2024.

The Nuggets bumped their win total by four, finishing 57-25, tied with Oklahoma City for best in the West, but the Thunder won the tiebreaker, so Denver dropped from the top seed a year ago to No. 2.Clippers preparing to have Kawhi Leonard for Game 1 against Mavericks “The Western Conference playoffs are going to be insane,” Malone said. “Forget seeding, the numbers in front of each team, throw them out the window. There’s going to be eight really talented teams and there’s a number of teams that I wouldn’t be surprised to see coming out of the West because that’s how deep and talented it is.”

Malone adopted the mantra that he’d rather have optimal health heading into the playoffs than the No. 1 seed, reasoning the Nuggets could beat anyone anywhere anytime regardless of seeding.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

Mike Malone Nikola Jokic NBA CO State Wire CA State Wire Reggie Jackson Aaron Gordon Lebron James NBA Basketball Jamal Murray Oklahoma City Bruce Brown Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Sports Peyton Watson Michael Porter Jr.

 

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