Remember when that Western Conference No. 2 seed seemed like all but a sure thing?

The Nuggets had just defeated their next closest challenger (OKC) in staking themselves to a four-game lead with 23 to go — a lead that was really five matches, since Denver clinched the season series against OKC. And they had won five in a row with a weekend set of home games against Utah and New Orleans on the horizon.

Fast forward a week later, and all the sudden things look a bit less rosy.

After three consecutive losses, including an unforgivable home loss to the Pelicans on Sunday, the Nuggets are staring down the league’s seventh-toughest schedule to close out the season.

Not only does this include two games at Golden State, but a string of six road games in 11 days between March 18-29 that features a single tanking team (New York) and dates in Boston, Indiana, Houston and Oklahoma City.

Brutal.

A few other tidbits:

12 of the Nuggets’ remaining 19 games are against teams with .500 or records and 10 of 19 against teams with winning records. (Denver plays the 31-31 Detroit Pistons two )
6 games are against the four different teams in the Western Conference’s top five: Golden State (2), Portland (2), Houston (1) and Oklahoma City (1)
Of those four other teams in the top five, just the Thunder have a harder schedule than the Nuggets. In fact, Golden State (18), Portland (20) and Houston (21) have schedules that rank in the bottom half of the league concerning schedule strength.
11 of 19 are with the Nuggets playing only five home games the rest of March.
5 of the group ’s closing 6 are against teams with winning records: at Golden State, vs. San Antonio, vs. Portland, at Portland, at Utah and vs. Minnesota, which has a losing record.

What exactly does that mean?

Games like Wednesday night’s against the reeling Los Angeles Lakers are if the Nuggets want to maintain their grip on one of the conference’s top two seeds.

Denver is currently running from gimmes, and the margin of error is starting to narrow.

— Matt Schubert, The Denver Post

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What’s on tap?

Wednesday: At Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m., ALT, ESPN
Friday: At Golden State Warriors, 8:30 p.m., ALT, ESPN

TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are broadcasting now

Must-Read
David Zalubowski, The Associated PressDenver Nuggets guard Isaiah Thomas (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Denver.
Kiszla vs. Singer: Is it time the Nuggets finish the Isaiah Thomas experiment?

Nuggets coach Michael Malone came to the defense of backup point guard Isaiah Thomas on Monday after shootaround in San Antonio, telling reporters that he doesn’t need anyone — including I.T. — for a scapegoat for Denver’s recent struggles. Read more…

David Zalubowski, The Associated PressSue Bird jokes with reporters as she talks about her new role as basketball operations assistant for the Denver Nuggets before an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Denver.
“We’re just as committed ”: Basketball icon Sue Bird takes aim at double standard exposed by viral Nike advertisement

Sue Bird has a message for anybody doubting the legitimacy of girls ’s sports. Read more…

David Zalubowski, The Associated PressDenver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, right, confers with guard Monte Morris during a break in play against the Sacramento Kings in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Denver.
Isaiah Thomas: For Monte Morris, “the sky’s the limit”

If you look close enough the brush strokes are still there. A masterpiece of a jumper is the light work of many hands. But when it came to Monte Morris, it had two mitts in particular that could drive Fred Hoiberg up a freaking wall, Sean Keeler writes.

Quick Hits

+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have Malik Beasley and Monte Morris earned crunch-time roles for Denver?

+  Nuggets Ink podcast: An appreciation of Paul Millsap, handicapping first-round matchups, end-of-regular-season goals and more.

+ Has the Isaiah Thomas “honeymoon period ” worn off for Nuggets fans already?

+ Nuggets’ Isaiah Thomas: “Why not try to get the No. 1 seed? ”

+ “He’s our best defenderup and down”: Gary Harris giving Nuggets a gridiron jolt

+ Isaiah Thomas, Gary Harris and Monte Morris in the lineup? Nuggets are trying to make it work, Mike Singers writes.

+ Will Barton showed some flashes of brilliance in the Nuggets’ dramatic home win over OKC past week.

+ If you happened to miss Monday night’s tragic loss to San Antonio, you can find a taste of all the pain here.

+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the group? Ask Mike Singer here.

By The Numbers

3.5

The Nuggets sit in the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings, 3.5 games ahead of a group of three teams vying for the 3 seed. The question: Are the Nuggets a threat as a No. 2 seed? Mike Singer and Mark Kiszla discussion .

Parting Shot
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRussell Westbrook (0) of the Oklahoma City Thunder has words with a fan seated courtroom side against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.
“You can’t allow that”: Russell Westbrook says fans have too much leeway after kid hits him during Nuggets match

After a boy hit Russell Westbrook throughout the Nuggets-Thunder game at the Pepsi Center last week, Oklahoma City’s star guard said fans have too much leeway to touch players. Read more…

Get in Touch

If you see something which ’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at [email protected] or tweet me @MattDSchubert.

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