With a slight edge on the second seed in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets’ supporting cast is in charge of what seed the Nuggets will finish with. They are coming off a big, dominant win against the Detroit Pistons where their supporting cast showed what they can be. The game before that, that group provided little value in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The consistency of the lineup outside of Nikola Jokić decides whether the Nuggets win or lose.
The Denver Nuggets Supporting Cast Must Play Consistently
Too Reliant on Star Play
The biggest gripe with the Nuggets this season has been their reliance on the play of Jokić. In his bad games, the Nuggets typically fall apart. In the games where he shoots 50.0% from the field or worse, the Nuggets are only 8-8. The Nuggets are 2-4 in the games he has missed this year. They are 29-9 in the other 38 games, a staggering .763 winning percentage, which is the percentage of a 63-win team.
Luckily for the Nuggets, Jokić is one of the most consistent players in the NBA. His surrounding cast is where the Nuggets see inconsistency. Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun have been mostly consistent, but the games they struggle prove to be devastating to the Nuggets’ chances. The Nuggets are especially bad in games where all three struggle. Their bench play has been inconsistent throughout the season, but they have provided enough to make an impact. The rest of their starting lineup is the main difference in wins and losses.
A Key Stat for Each Supporting Cast Member
With the Nuggets being so reliant on Jokić, certain numbers their supporting cast hit greatly improve the Nuggets’ chances of winning. Each member of the starting lineup provides a unique skillset that allows the Nuggets starting lineup to have the seventh-highest plus/minus among five-player lineups on the season in only 20 games.
For Murray, the key statistic that allows the Nuggets to thrive is when he shoots 50.0% from the field or higher. In the games he hits that benchmark, the Nuggets are 17-6. They are 16-14 in the games he misses the mark. Murray’s efficiency is invaluable to the Nuggets if they want to finish the season strong.
Porter Jr.’s magic statistic is reaching 19 points or higher in a game. It is slightly higher than his 18.7 points per game average, but is a massive difference in the Nuggets’ chance of winning. He has reached 19 points in 28 games, where the Nuggets have gone 23-5. His involvement in the Nuggets’ offense is arguably the biggest game changer for the team.
Braun has impressed as one of the best transition players in the NBA. He is thriving in the first unit for the Nuggets, proving to be a great NBA starter. Similarly to Murray, Braun’s efficiency is valuable to the Nuggets winning. He has shot 54.0% from the field in 30 games, where the Nuggets have gone 23-7.
For Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets need his health to return before the playoffs start. He has dealt with a lingering calf injury throughout the season, playing only 36 games. With Gordon being one of the Nuggets’ most versatile defenders, his role is irreplaceable in a playoff atmosphere.
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