The Nuggets face the Northwest Division rival Thunder in an NBA Playoffs battle. Two of the most athletic teams in the league will go toe-to-toe starting this Sunday, April 17th. Dan Olson and Ian Cerveny take you inside this thrilling first round matchup with a series preview.
Now the Avalanche get Anderson close to 100% in a stretch of games that will determine whether or not Colorado keeps its tenuous hold on the Northwest. This week is all about division play, and it starts tonight as the Avs travel to Vancouver to take on the 2nd place Canucks.
The loss relegates the Denver Nuggets to a likely 5th seed, as the Utah Jazz control their destiny in the race for the Northwest Division after a win at Golden State. Phoenix travels to Salt Lake City tomorrow night to settle the Western Conference seeding with the Jazz. Only a Suns victory can save the Nuggets from their late-season decent from 1-seed contenders to the 5-seed and a hellish road to the Finals.
With 8 games to go, the Nuggets will need a win tonight at the Mavericks and a strong finish to reacquire the 2nd seed in the Western Conference playoff field
I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the Avs’ failure to keep the pressure on early in the second period. Vancouver gave the Avalanche every opportunity to put the game away and the Avs, rather than failing to capitalize, passed on more than one chance to rush Luongo and put the Canucks in a deeper hole.
The Canucks game is the first in a week of marquee matchups for the Avalanche. Tuesday’s game versus Vancouver is followed by the Florida Panthers’ first visit to Craig Anderson’s new digs since they let him dip to Colorado in the offseason.
We must come to terms with this medley of rough, smooth, fresh & big athletes. They are the best chance Denver has had and will have for a Championship run over the next 2-3 years.
Melo is becoming Kevin’s go-to rival in a Northwest Division that lacks any other talents of Durant’s caliber.
With Coach George Karl making it clear that cancer will not hold him back from his life, let alone coaching, the emotional and inspired Nuggets may have stamped their letter of commitment to chasing down an NBA title.
A big win over the Coyotes kept the Avalanche on-pace with Vancouver. Now Colorado will try to stretch their league-best win streak to 5 games against the Kings
