People can claim they aren’t scared of the Wolves all they want, but there’s no shot any of these teams prefer to play them in the first round over the others.

I think the Rockets scheme-wise are probably the team that makes the Nuggets make the least adjustments from their preferred setup.

Jokic can guard Sengun, or one of the non-shooting smalls. They probably can play zone too.

Offensively, the Rockets don’t really have personnel to do the most difficult Jokic defenses (a big guarding Jokic with a shotblocker lurking) like the Knicks, Thunder, Timberwolves and Spurs do. And Sengun is just smaller than Jokic.

I think the Rockets are playing well and it will be a tough series (Peyton Watson being out is tough as the best KD defender), but the Nuggets against the Rockets really get to do their base stuff.

I think they want to lose so they can play OKC in the second round. They don’t want to play OKC in the conference finals after having to play the spurs. I think that’s their mindset atleast.

We have absolutely figured out the Rockets and I’m not remotely scared of them. The only question is if we can get out in 5 or if it goes to 6 and tires us out more. The Wolves this year are injured and not as good as last time they beat us, but they are still an excellent clutch team with one of the most clutch stars on the planet who has given us nightmares every matchup this season, even though we’ve won most of them. The Rockets on the other hand are the worst fucking clutch chokers I’ve ever seen get to 50 wins. Literally set the all time OT choke record just this season. Considering how good my Nuggets are in the clutch lately and their obvious weaknesses as a team, I absolutely want the Rockets in round 1.

I mean I really dont get why we make such a big deal out of this. only the first round is prolly same. Conference finals or 2nd round is okc/spurs(probably) in some order only. If we cant beat the rockets or the wolves in a 7 game series we just dont deserve the deep playoff push

Why do people keep saying “Ant is injured” or “Ant is not at full strength”?

Ant is cleared and already came back to play in a physical game vs the Rockets. Now he’s just resting again.

If anything, he will be fresher and more well-rested than opposing players and he already got some rust off.

Rockets are definitely the easier team to beat. The wolves are no pushover

While the Rockets are easily the better matchup, both teams are beatable. The most important thing we need to secure before going into the playoffs is health. Injuries have been the biggest reason for both of the recent second round flame outs. Jamal and KCP were injured in 2024. AG, MPJ, Russ and Jamal again were injured in 2025. It’s why I hope we rest all our key guys in the Spurs game, including Jokic.

minny are one of the best playoff risers, especially if ant is back to being 100%. especially in the halfcourt where the rockets have had issues w/out vv and adams. minny also match up well with the nuggets

The way you type made me not want to read this. Thanks.

Rockets. They have too many inexperienced players to be successful in the playoffs

Rockets aside from the lakers are basically a free series. I trust the wolves to give them more problems.

If the Wolves are healthy, then Denver or LAL would obviously rather face Houston in the first round over Minnesota.

But, I don’t get why Denver wouldn’t want the #3 seed.

If they believe they are a title team, then they should be thinking ahead to the second round.

They match up much better with SA than OKC. I’d still pick the Spurs in a series, but with like a 53% confidence level. I’d pick OKC over DEN with like an 85% confidence level.

So, the #3 seed is their best chance to get to the conference finals.

Then, they can hope for a prayer in the second round. Maybe Luka and Reaves are back, Bron turns back the clock and the Lakers stun OKC. Or KD turns back the clock and leads Houston over the Thunder.

In this scenario, Denver gets the more preferable second round matchup for them AND host the WCF.

It’s not about round 1. They’re beating either team. It’s about playing OKC earlier.

The Rockets are a trap because their defense actually puts in the work now, but Minnesota is still the bigger headache purely because of the size they can throw at Jokic. It is basically choosing between a team that will outrun you and a team that will turn every possession into a rock fight. Either way, the Nuggets bench is going to have to do more than just cardio if they want to get back to OKC.

Healthy Denver should be the favorite against any team if Jokic is Top 10 player ever. And I think that Jokic is 10-13.

It impacts Spurs and Thunder the most

OKC 1st seed wanted to be rewarded with 2nd and 3rd best team being on other side of the bracket which likely won’t happen so they’re mad. AND they want to dodge Spurs which seem to have their number and Nuggets could have knocked them out.

I don’t know how much difference there is vs hot Rockets vs cold rusty Wolves coming back from injury but at same time if they really wanted to lose and rest why are they playing their bench guys in these games vs OKC and Spurs? I don’t know why THJ, Brown etc are playing

Rockets have to run the entire offense through KD/sengun, and while Ant is by far the star, we’ve developed a lot of offensive depth over the season (especially with Shannon hitting a stride at the right time). The last two wolves/rockets games have ended in the wolves pulling away at the end with multiple key players out (and in the case of one, almost the entire starting unit gone by the end). Both times, we won partially due to how gassed KD and Sengun were at the end. Doesn’t bode well for the rockets competing with a contender in a playoff series.

If they can’t confiently beat the Twolves or Rockets none of it really matters anyway 

It’s clear Denver would rather face Houston I mean why would you wanna play the team who recently sent you home in a game 7 in Denver I mean Denver the better team but wolves were designed to specifically beat the nuggets lmao Denver would definitely rather not play them if they can avoid it . Honestly would be a unfortunate round 1 matchup rather see them battle in the wcf when both at full strength assuming both make it that far 

Our matchup against MIN isn’t as bad as it used to be because they no longer have NAW and especially KAT, who is genuinely one of the best Jokic defenders. It’s not a guarantee we’d beat them but they’re not as terrible of a matchup as they have been

its not hard to check a teams current winstreak

does your phone not have online

Why does everyone say “don’t want to face spurs second round” ?

Who said the spurs are making it to the second round? Lmao

KD is playing out of his goddamn mind. He’s still that dude that almost carried a hobbled ass nets team to the finals. This might be his last go out at so I wont be surprised if he really goes out and empties the clip.