Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and the Denver Nuggets still have some work to do if they want to ... [+] finish third or higher in the Western Conference standings. For example, if the Nuggets finish with two more wins their final record will be .644 (green), in which case the Rockets would need to win all four of their remaining games to finish at .653 (green) and usurp Denver for the third seed. None of the teams below them in the standings can pass them, and they climb to second if the Clippers lose two or more games. None of the teams below them in the standings can pass them, and they climb to second if the Clippers lose three or more games. Firstly, Denver will almost certainly avoid a first-round matchup with a Houston team that has been a thorn in their side for years.

Source: Forbes August 08, 2020 15:45 UTC