National Basketball Association

Denver Nuggets Have a Huge Opportunity on Road Trip

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:09 p.m. ET

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Nov 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the game against the Utah Jazz at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 105-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets have a 6-game road trip ahead, and the team’s success (or failure) could define the season.

We know a few things about the Denver Nuggets 19 games into the season.

These four facts also raise a few questions. Do the Denver Nuggets have a realistic chance at making the playoffs? Will the Nuggets bottom out and end up in the 13-15 range? Can we expect them to move above .500 when they start playing some of the NBA’s lesser teams? Will they maintain a road record that hovers around .500 throughout the season?

Although we’re still within the first third of the season, I think we’ll get a clearer picture on all these questions during the Nuggets six-game road trip.

Let’s take a broad look at the upcoming six game road trip and why this is a real opportunity. In addition, we’ll see how this stretch, although on the road, is more favorable than the beginning portion of their schedule.

Dec 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) celebrates Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson

The Nuggets Will Face Some of the NBA’s Worst During the Road Trip

Yes, the next six games are on the road. And yes, The Nuggets are currently only 4-5 on the road this season. That is, by no means, something to write home about.

However, this six-game trek is a bit different. Of the six teams the Nuggets will face, only the Utah Jazz currently sit in a playoff position (7th in the West). Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Washington, and Orlando are four of the five worst teams in the Eastern Conference, and Dallas is the worst team in the Western Conference.

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If the Nuggets want a real shot at the playoffs, finishing this stretch with AT LEAST a 4-2 record is necessary. The combined record of the next six opponents is a paltry 37-76 (.327). Take the Jazz’s winning record out of the equation, and the remaining five opponents are just 26-67 (.280). Yuck!

A loss to the Jazz would be disappointing but not the worst thing in the world. Denver and Utah are already super familiar with each other this season, as each squad delivered a shellacking to the other on its own home court. The Nuggets won at the Pepsi Center 105-91 on November 20, while the Jazz took care of business 108-83 on November 23 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Only one other game on the six-game trip would qualify as a reasonable loss, and that’s mostly because of the schedule itself. On December 8 the Nuggets will play at Washington in the second game of a back-to-back. Two games in two days are always tough, and Washington has the fire power to be a good team on any given night.

Beyond those two games, a loss in any of the four other games will leave a sour taste in the team’s collective mouth. The Nuggets will be at Philly with a day of rest on December 5, at Brooklyn with a day of rest on December 7, at Orlando with a day of rest on December 10, and at Dallas with a day of rest on December 12.

A loss in any of those four will not bode well if the Nuggets hope to get the prized eight-seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Nov 25, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

How Does this Stretch Compare to the Earlier Schedule

Any road stretch is tough, but this trip is still an opportunity the team will need to seize. This is especially true given the opponents. Denver hasn’t faced teams in the lower third of the league much yet this season.

According to Basketball Reference, the Nuggets have played the third-hardest scheduled in the league, according to Basketball Reference. Of their 19 games, 14 have been played against teams that are currently sitting in playoff position. Unfortunately, those 14 games have only yielded at 3-11 record.

In their other five games, the Denver Nuggets have played better, posting a 4-1 record against teams that are not currently in playoff position.

The Nuggets have shown the ability to beat teams outside of the playoffs with some consistency so far this year. Now, we’ll have to wait and see if they can do just that on the road.

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