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NBA Thursday: Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors
In what be the most important game for both teams this season, the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors square off for what could be the determining game to see who goes to the playoffs and who gets out their golf clubs. As of this moment, both teams have identical records and are tied for the very last playoff position. Normally the last seed in the playoffs is usually reserved for a team that is expected to make an early departure, but in the Western Conference, the story is a little bit different. The first and eight place team have only an 8.5 game difference between each other. That means that no one team has been dominate enough to separate themselves from the pack, and also shows that if you can sneak into the playoffs you have a fair chance of making it as far as any other team.
The Nuggets hope relies on the shoulders of future NBA Hall of Fame member, Allen Iverson. Iverson has added another great career to his resume, averaging 26.3 points and over seven assists a contest. Golden State also relies on a point guard. Baron Davis. Davis has scored 21.3 points a game, and has averaged right around the same number of assists as Iverson, while trying to lead his young team to the playoffs.
The Nuggets are playing a little bit better right now, winning six out of their last ten, while the Warriors have only managed four wins in the same span. However, the Warriors will have a big advantage playing in front of their home crowed, which is why I will favor them slightly over the Nuggets in this one. But a Denver win would be of little surprise to me either.
NBA Sunday: Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons
Both of these teams have already clinched a playoff position, with the Pistons in second place, and the Raptors currently in seventh. Detroit’s second place seeding is set in stone. They won’t catch up with the first place Boston Celtics, and they third place Magic are also to far behind to catch up with the Pistons. Detroit has been known in the past to sort of take it easy down the stretch and let some players rest once they have determined where they will be in the playoffs. This could be good next for the Raptors as they are still playing for playoff positioning. They could get is high as high as fifth place, or theoretically drop to the eight and final playoff spot. The way things stand right now this game will be a preview of the playoffs, as the seventh seed matched up with the second seed. If Toronto can go into Detroit and beat the Pistons then that could give the Raptors some much needed confidence heading into the playoff series, if it does indeed take place. Beating the Pistons at anytime should give confidence, regardless.
As far as Detroit taking it easy down the stretch, it’s hard to determine right now. In their last ten games they have won seven, but with only five remaining and knowing their set in stone playoff spot the good play could slow down. The Pistons are overall pretty healthy, but leading scorer Richard Hamilton has been slowed down a bit by a minor injury, and it is my guess they would rather use his 17.7 points a game in the playoffs then risking losing him for good during virtually meaningless regular season games.
I think the Raptors may be almost getting a gift here, so I’ll favor them in this one, but if they meet again in the playoffs I will certainly favor the Pistons.
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