Denver Nuggets

Denver’s 59-34 regular season came to a close with a troubling 1-4 skid against Minnesota, dropping four of five contests and losing three straight on the road to finish the campaign. The Nuggets averaged 120.4 points per game on solid 49.2% shooting from the field and 38.8% from three, but that offensive firepower proved insufficient down the stretch: they managed just 96 points twice in their final four outings. The home win over the Timberwolves on April 28 offered a brief reprieve, yet Denver couldn’t sustain it, surrendering 110+ points in three of their last four games. As the postseason looms, bettors should note the concerning trend of road struggles and defensive lapses against a direct playoff rival. The Nuggets’ scoring efficiency remains intact, but momentum is decidedly negative heading into the bracket. Denver’s seeding and first-round matchup will hinge on how quickly they can arrest this late-season decline and rediscover the defensive intensity required for a deep run.