By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
From playing as the sixth seed of the Western Conference in the 2022 NBA Playoffs to a much more favorable position can be in the future of the Denver Nuggets.
Currently, 18-11, including 9-3 at home, the team coached by Mike Malone is tied with the New Orleans Pelicans in the second place of the West, one game behind the leading Memphis Grizzlies and half a game ahead of the Phoenix Suns. Plenty of action left in the 2022-23 Regular Season but five more games in Ball Arena compared to away fixtures, including 14 of the next 18.
“Hopefully, we can continue the streak. We are playing very well at home,” Nikola Jokic commented on the upcoming schedule after the successful launch of a four-game homestand. Since his arrival in 2015, his side made the conference Finals once, the conference Semifinals twice, and was eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round last season.
Building up the current W-L tally, the Nuggets held on to defeat the Charlotte Hornets with the Joker posting a triple-double. He ended up with 40 points, 27 rebounds, and ten assists Sunday evening.
“To be honest, we were forcing misses and I was there to grab the rebound. The game just opened up for me,” he downplayed the career-high 27 rebounds, “Of course, the opposing team missed the shots and I was at the right spot.”
The 2021 and 2022 season MVP averaged 24.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks over the first 25 appearances this season.
Photo Credit: Getty Images