The NBA Snapshot series was created as a daily check-in for Denver Nuggets fans. Every game matters as the season comes to a close, and the playoff bracket is altered constantly. These posts will help inform Nuggets fans of the day’s games, providing an update on the standings and which teams to root for from game to game.

Standings Update

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  • With the Nuggets and Warriors both winning last night, Golden State stayed one win ahead of their strongest challenger this year. With just 22 losses, both teams are on pace for over 54 wins on the season, a testament to their strength but also the strength of the Western Conference as a whole.
  • The Jazz lost and turned the most confusing scenario into a reality. At 42-30. the Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, and Clippers are currently locked in a four-way tie. In this scenario, the Thunder have the best combined win-loss record against the other three teams, meaning they are currently the 5 seed and would face the Blazers. The Jazz fall to the 7 seed and are in line to face the Nuggets in the first round.
  • Three distinct groups have formed in the West playoffs. Seeds 1 and 2 are jockeying for position, as are seeds 3 and 4, and seeds 5, 6, 7, and 8. The first round matchup in the first round is clearly an unknown for every West playoff team, which makes it difficult to game plan for others. Because of this, the Nuggets taking time to focus inward and be honest with how they can proceed.

Games to watch Friday night

Denver Nuggets vs New York Knicks — 5:30 pm MST

Who to root for: The good guys. Winning both ends of the back-to-back is paramount. This is the final easy game on Denver’s schedule. If they don’t make the most of it, a lower seed is back in play.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Cleveland Cavaliers — 5:30 pm MST

Who to root for: Los Angeles. If Michael Malone and company miss out of the 1 seed, then they better hope Doc Rivers and company slide up out of the 8th seed.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Toronto Raptors — 5:30 pm MST

Who to root for: Toronto. Keep Oklahoma City in position to play Golden State in the first round. That should at least make the Warriors work harder than they would to dismantle the Clippers.

San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets — 6:00 pm MST

Who to root for: San Antonio. Every loss for the Rockets is a good one for the Nuggets. The earlier Denver clinches a top 2 seed, the earlier they can find a way to rest starters and avoid injuries before the playoffs.