Nuggets Clinch First Playoff Berth in Six Years
The Nuggets are heading to the NBA Playoffs for the first time in six years. They swept the Boston Celtics in a 114-105 win Monday night to clinch the spot.
The Nuggets just missed out on the playoffs last season, losing out on a spot on the final day of the regular season.
Nikola Jokic, the 23-year-old star, has carried the team this season by averaging 20.3 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game.
After Monday's clinching win, coach Michael Malone told the Denver Post:
“I think we realized early on this season that we had a chance to have a special season, and that remains the case,” Malone said, adding, “I told the guys after: ‘We should feel good about this. Life is about celebrating moments.'”
Malone deserves plenty of credit, bringing together one of the NBA's most balanced teams. The Nuggets rank fourth in offense, eleventh in three point shooting, eleventh in defense, and sixth in rebounding.
If the playoffs started today, the Nuggets would play the Jazz in Utah for the first round of the playoffs.