Nuggets News and Notes

Game Results

Denver Nuggets 125, Chicago Bulls 107

Recap
Stats
Highlights

Denver Nuggets 110, Milwaukee Bucks 98

Recap
Stats
Highlights

Charlotte Hornets 112, Denver Nuggets 102

Recap
Stats
Highlights

Power Rankings

ESPN (Marc Stein)

Current: 19
Last week: 17

The thought pops into my head every time I look at the standings: How much is Denver going to kick itself for that 3-8 record in games decided by three points or fewer if it fails to hold onto the No. 8 spot in the West? Only the Knicks have more one-possession defeats (nine), with Charlotte (0-8) and Minnesota (4-8) also wincing uncontrollably any time someone brings up that category. The cure for that in the Rocky Mountains, though, is simply bringing up Nikola Jokic, who is suddenly up to four triple-doubles for the season, good for the highest single-season total for any Nugget since famed triple-double artist Fat Lever's five in 1989-90. Jokic turned 22 on Feb. 19 and had three of those triple-doubles in February. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only three players in league history have managed three triple-doubles in a single month at a younger age: Oscar Robertson (1960-61), Magic Johnson (1980-81) and Lamar Odom (2000-01). All three of those guys were 21.

NBA (John Schuhmann)

Current: 16
Last week: 18

There was a time when the altitude of Denver was a real home-court advantage. But the Nuggets are just 75-79 at the Pepsi Center over the last four seasons, 16-15 this season after Saturday's loss to Charlotte. Now's the time to get that home-court advantage back, because six of their next seven games are at home and they're still just a game in the loss column ahead of the ninth-place Blazers. After recording two straight triple-doubles, Nikola Jokic shot 13-for-15 against the Hornets, but his fellow starters shot 9-for-33 and the Denver defense didn't hold up after after a couple of solid games on the road.

Sport’s Illustrated (Jeremy Woo)

Current: 17
Last week: 17

Denver’s hold on the No. 8 seed is looking a little tenuous these days, but there’s no clear adversary really coming for it, either. The Nuggets are up a game and a half on the Blazers, and there are five teams within 3.5 games of them. This March scramble between six streaky contenders will be interesting…but maybe not that interesting.

CBS Sports (Matt Moore)

Current: 21
Last week: 18

Denver realistically only needs one stretch where it wins 7 of 10 to clinch a playoff spot, but the Nuggets are very unlikely to get it. Their schedule is difficult and they are maddeningly inconsistent. Nikola Jokic is a savant, however.