The NBA released the schedule on Thursday, August 10, at 4 PM ET. With the release, Nuggets fans are able to get a first look at the team’s 2018-2019 regular season competition. While their schedule is relatively balanced for the most part, they do have a tough closing schedule which includes having 9 of their last 14 games on the road. They do open up the season with 10 of their first 15 games at home in Denver, giving them the opportunity for a hot start. A fast start would be a great way for Denver to achieve a playoff berth this season.
Overall, this schedule is not as difficult as last year’s was for Denver, but it is still fairly tough. The Nuggets will have 13 back to back situations across their schedule, which is right around the league average of 13.3. If the Nuggets are going to make the playoffs for the first time in 5 years, they will need to beat teams they are better than, something they struggled with last season. Although they went 46-36 last season, they lost numerous games against tanking teams such as the Hawks, Grizzlies, Kings, and Suns, with 2 of those games being at home. If the Nuggets can take care of business against lower tier teams, they will position themselves nicely to make a post-season run.
The make-or-break stretch of the season, however, will be the stretch of 6 games in April to close out the season. Denver has 3 home games and 3 road games in April, and protecting home court could be key here. They play at Golden State, home against San Antonio, home against Portland, away against Portland, away against Utah, and home against Minnesota to close it out. In addition to all of these games being against other Western Conference teams and the last 4 being against fellow Northwest division rivals, the Nuggets also play in two separate back to back situations. The first is when they visit Golden State on April 2, followed by visiting San Antonio on April 3, and the other one is when the close out the season away against Utah on April 9 and back home against Minnesota on April 10. This stretch will be very key, as 4 of the 5 teams Denver will face are likely to finish within a few games of them.
This upcoming season for Denver is playoffs or bust. If they miss the playoffs for a sixth straight season with such a talented young roster, expect major changes to the coaching staff and possibly the front office. However, I expect Denver to be much more focused this season and for the players to step up each and every game. Last year gave many of their young players valuable experience and growth, and I believe they will use that experience to make sure they do not give away easy games. As a whole, I expect them to get a top 6 seed in the Western Conference and to be competitive with whichever team they are pitted against.
Prediction: 51-31
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