Denver Nuggets' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for December
The Denver Nuggets enter the month of December with an 8-8 record, good for 10th in a loaded Western Conference.
With a well-balanced offense that currently ranks fourth in the NBA in points per game, Denver should continue to dominate inexperienced teams that lack cohesion on the defensive end.
Unfortunately, the Nuggets' own problems on defense have prevented them from becoming one of the premier teams in the conference. Coach Brian Shaw must find a way to increase continuity on the defensive end if he wishes for Denver to challenge for a playoff berth.
A December schedule that features many of the top teams in the NBA will give the Nuggets a better answer as to whether they are good enough to make the postseason in 2014-15.
Week 1: Dec. 1-6
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Key Matchup: Dec. 2 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Denver Nuggets’ December schedule does not start off easy with battles against two division rivals in the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers followed by a game against the Washington Wizards.
Denver’s December 1 game in Utah will be its most winnable of the week. The Nuggets must find a way to stop Gordon Hayward, who is the Jazz’s most lethal offensive weapon. Expect a big game vs. Ty Lawson, who will be going up against two young point guards in Alec Burks and Trey Burke. If the Nuggets win a game in the first week, it will be this one.
The Portland game on December 2 will be a good test to see how far Denver has come over the last two weeks. In the Nuggets’ two previous games against the Trail Blazers this season, they have lost by 16 and 17 points, with the latter dropping them to a 1-6 record.
Since then, Denver has seen its offense ignited, going on a 7-2 tear. Although Portland has the advantage in almost every matchup in the starting five, the Nuggets have the superior second unit and could make it interesting when the Trail Blazers starters are forced to rest.
The final game in Washington on December 5 will be Denver’s sixth against an Eastern Conference opponent. The Nuggets have gone 3-2 against the East this season and will put up a good fight in this Friday night battle.
The winner of the matchup between Ty Lawson and John Wall could very well decide the game in this one.
Record: 1-2
Week 2: Dec. 7-13
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Key Matchup: Dec 10. vs. Miami
Denver’s tough December schedule continues into the second week with road games against the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets as well as a home battle against the Miami Heat.
The Atlanta and Toronto games at the beginning of the week do not bode well for Denver, as both opponents will be able to match the Nuggets’ depth. Both the Hawks and Raptors play excellent team basketball and will cause fits for a Denver squad that is 26th in the league in defensive points per game.
The Nuggets finish off their stretch of Eastern Conference opponents with a battle against the Miami Heat on December 10. Ty Lawson will dominate the point guard battle in this one, and JJ Hickson should have a field day against a Heat team that is last in the league in rebounding.
The biggest matchup in this one will be Kenneth Faried vs. Chris Bosh, who is putting together an excellent season for Miami this year. If Faried is able to hold his own, Denver should cruise to a victory.
The final game of the week against the Houston Rockets may be the most difficult for Denver. The Nuggets do not have a rim protector down low who can stop Dwight Howard (who is currently facing a nagging injury, but should be back by Dec 13), which is a huge concern. In addition, James Harden will have his way offensively, as the duo may prove to be too much for a team that struggles on the defensive end.
Record: 1-3
Week 3: Dec. 14-20
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Key Matchup: Dec. 19 vs. L.A. Clippers
A four-game home stretch beginning on the 14th could help the Nuggets get back to their winning ways. The week starts off difficult with matches against the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, but it ends with more winnable ones against the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers.
The Spurs and Rockets are both veteran teams that will exploit the Nuggets' porous defense with a combination of three-point shooting and scoring down low. Of the two, Denver may have a better chance against the Spurs, as they tend not to overplay their starters during the regular season.
Denver's Friday night matchup against the Clippers will be its best chance of defeating an elite Western Conference opponent.
Ty Lawson is capable of outplaying Chris Paul, and Arron Afflalo should be able to better J.J. Redick at shooting guard. If either Faried or Timofey Mozgov can limit Blake Griffin's scoring, the Nuggets should be able to pull off the upset.
The final game of the week against Indiana is the easiest on paper for Denver. The Nuggets and Pacers are second and third in the league in offensive rebounding, so this one may go down to who can limit the number of second-chance opportunities for their opponent.
Record: 2-2
Week 4: Dec. 21-27
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Key Matchup: Dec. 23 at Brooklyn
The easiest week for Denver comes at the end of the month with games against three sub-.500 teams: the Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Denver must find a way to limit Al Jefferson's production inside, as the Hornets do not offer much offensively past him. On offense, both Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried should have big games for the Nuggets.
Denver's second game of the week against the Brooklyn Nets could be its most difficult. Joe Johnson thrives against smaller defenders, so it may be best for the Nuggets to have Wilson Chandler cover him. If he can limit Johnson's interior scoring, Denver has an excellent chance of winning.
Brook Lopez typically shies away from the low post, so the Nuggets will not have to worry nearly as much about his scoring and rebounding down low.
Finally, the last game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home may be one of Denver's easiest matchups of the month. The Timberwolves are currently 29th in the NBA in defensive points per game, so expect Denver's explosive offense to dominate this one.
Record: 3-0
Week 5: Dec. 28-30 and Recap
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Key Matchup: Dec. 30 vs. L.A. Lakers
The Denver Nuggets end December with home games against the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers.
Toronto will once again pose a problem for Denver, which will struggle to stop its elite offense even if DeMar DeRozan is still out for the Raptors.
The Nuggets end the month against the Lakers, who are currently the worst team in the Western Conference at 3-13. Los Angeles doesn't present much of a threat down low, an area where Denver typically struggles. Unless Kobe Bryant goes off for 81 points, the Nuggets should end the month with a victory.
Record: 1-1
Recap
After entering December with an 8-8 record, the Denver Nuggets will end the month with that mark doubled at 16-16.
Similar to November, the Nuggets will take advantage of lesser opponents with their explosive offense but will struggle against veteran teams, which will find a way to attack their deficient defense.
Ty Lawson should continue his exceptional play and show All-Star voters why he deserves to be considered among the league's elite.
Finally, Danilo Gallinari should continue his strong play at the end of November into December, where he could work his way back into the starting lineup.
Overall, Denver still looks like it is a year or two away from becoming one of the elite teams in the Western Conference, but it could play solid enough ball this season to squeak into the final playoff spot.
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