Game 77: Denver Nuggets (51-24) @ Phoenix Suns (41-35) l Friday l 7:30pm l NBATV

[irish22022]

Clippers have tough schedule with b2b games vs MEM and NO, then Lakers. There is a good chance Suns will secure 4th seed before last game.

if that ends up being the case, we may even have a chance to manipulate the standings via the final game depending on how 5-6 shake out.

- letting Clips win to keep warriors from taking 5
- besting them in case Wolves have a shot at 5

that sort of thing

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You'd rather play the Clips than the Warriors? Not me.

I think I would too, but only because I think post season winning and good coaching are two things the warriors solidly have over us. Clippers have failed plenty and Ty Lou is only a good coach when he's down 3-1.

I also doubt Paul George will be a 100%.

[SunsRback4Good]

if that ends up being the case, we may even have a chance to manipulate the standings via the final game depending on how 5-6 shake out.

- letting Clips win to keep warriors from taking 5
- besting them in case Wolves have a shot at 5

that sort of thing

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

You'd rather play the Clips than the Warriors? Not me.

I think I would too, but only because I think post season winning and good coaching are two things the warriors solidly have over us. Clippers have failed plenty and Ty Lou is only a good coach when he's down 3-1.

I also doubt Paul George will be a 100%.

Plus they now have Westbrook who is a playoff chocker with low bball IQ. Clippers also have new faces just like us after all those trades they made. But I’d still prefer Warrior cause Wiggins been out forever, their bench got weaker and are one of worst road teams in the league.

[bwgood77]

if that ends up being the case, we may even have a chance to manipulate the standings via the final game depending on how 5-6 shake out.

- letting Clips win to keep warriors from taking 5
- besting them in case Wolves have a shot at 5

that sort of thing

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

You'd rather play the Clips than the Warriors? Not me.

I think I would too, but only because I think post season winning and good coaching are two things the warriors solidly have over us. Clippers have failed plenty and Ty Lou is only a good coach when he's down 3-1.

I also doubt Paul George will be a 100%.

I think Ty Lue has been a great coach. Also the Clips got to the WCF 2 years ago without Kawhi. They missed the playoffs last year because Kawhi was out all season and George got COVID and couldn't play the play in, but Kawhi has won a championship.

Anyway, Curry scored 50 against them on 20/28 shooting and 8/14 from 3 and the Clips beat them. They also just beat Memphis without Kawhi OR George.

I think both are tough playoff teams but the Clips match up with us better (for them)...I don't think GS could defend us at all while the Clips have Kawhi, George, Batum and Covington who are all good to great long wing defenders. Westbrook has actually been playing well for them too. Kind of back to when he joined Houston and played well. Not sure I'd trust him in the playoffs but if they are completely healthy they match up well with us with the wings, Westbrook on Paul and Zubac against Ayton and their depth is far superb. GS is scary because they can get hot from 3 and that would kill us but so can the Clips and they have plenty of midrange game players too.

I think either are tough matchups but I just don't see how GS guards us at all, particularly with Wiggins out.

Here is their recent game with both teams healthy, Curry going for 50 and the Warriors shooting 55% from the field and 47% from 3 and still losing. https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401469196

[lilfishi22]

Clippers have tough schedule with b2b games vs MEM and NO, then Lakers. There is a good chance Suns will secure 4th seed before last game.

if that ends up being the case, we may even have a chance to manipulate the standings via the final game depending on how 5-6 shake out.

- letting Clips win to keep warriors from taking 5
- besting them in case Wolves have a shot at 5

that sort of thing

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

Why are we so much afraid of the Warriors? This is the team who should have only two titles if KD never joined their team. Curry is great but has yet to showcase his clutchness. Without Klay and Draymond manning the ship, Curry is nothing but a vest.

I don't know why you want to diminish a 2 time champion (in your books) that still has Curry, Klay and Dray.

[bwgood77]

HCA is definitely more important though if we play the Warriors. They are 31-8 at home and 9-29 on the road. The Clips have winning records at home and on the road (almost identical records).

[SunsRback4Good]

if that ends up being the case, we may even have a chance to manipulate the standings via the final game depending on how 5-6 shake out.

- letting Clips win to keep warriors from taking 5
- besting them in case Wolves have a shot at 5

that sort of thing

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

Why are we so much afraid of the Warriors? This is the team who should have only two titles if KD never joined their team. Curry is great but has yet to showcase his clutchness. Without Klay and Draymond manning the ship, Curry is nothing but a vest.

I don't know why you want to diminish a 2 time champion (in your books) that still has Curry, Klay and Dray.

Because I don’t view him as a superstar, but just a very great shooter. Curry needs a dozen of picks to get off a shot. Have you seen others take over games when needed to win a title? KD, Klay, Poole, Wiggins just to name a few. I wonder what Curry would accomplish without Kerr, Dray (A Rodman type of player), & Klay possible the 2nd greatest shooter ever. I bet most have Curry in top 10 of all time and I find that laughable.

[Mr Puddles]

Can't take this Nuggets squad lightly just because their main guys are out. The Saben Lee led Suns beat a couple of quality squads as well this season by catching them off-guard.

With the Clippers losing today, a Suns win would effectively put us up by three games (due to the tie breaker) over every team below us, which pretty much means we'd have solidified the 4th spot.

[Sunlight]

Suns should rest CP3.

[kennydorglas]

LETS GO SUNS

[bwgood77]

I think the Clips are aiming for the 6th seed anyway and a matchup with the Kings and then Memphis in the 2nd round. They were beating the Grizzlies 34-21 after 1, but Kawhi only played 18 minutes. They have been resting Kawhi quite a bit and George has been out. There other starters only played in the teens to mid 20s in minutes as well. They have jockeyed for playoff spots before, and while I don't know if that's always smart, it makes sense to avoid Phx/Den path in the first two rounds.

Interesting though, looking at the standings, Memphis has the best home record in the NBA (34-6), with Denver 2nd (32-7).

[Calvin Klein]

One thing about Ayton, has he ever lost a tip off? I don't even know if what he does is legal. He seems to push the opponent's hands with his right arm. But I don't remember him losing one since I noticed what he does.

[SkyBill40]

Ayton off to a trash start. Typical.

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[kennydorglas]

cp3 not looking engaged at all
seems like a game for our 2nd unit to shine

[Calvin Klein]

Great...it's Wheezy.

[Saberestar]

KD is ridiculous, 10 points in less than 6 minutes already.

We need to win this one. The Clippers lost. Let's go!

[SkyBill40]

DeAndre Jordan looking WIDE these days. Looks like his high flying days are long behind him.

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[OneZilion]

KD God Lord!

When healthy best player on planet

[Slim Charless]

HCA is definitely more important though if we play the Warriors. They are 31-8 at home and 9-29 on the road. The Clips have winning records at home and on the road (almost identical records).

Can't agree more. They are also a great match-up for us provided Wiggins remains out-which I think he will be.

KD I imagine will be VERY motivated to beat them. Chris Paul as well.

[spanishninja]

get some defensive rebounds!

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[Slim Charless]

Ayton's jumper is so smooth