Denver Nuggets
2017-18 record: 46-36
2017-18 season series: 2-0, Sixers
2018-19 advantage: Sixers
The Nuggets can go shot-for-shot with any team in the NBA. Nikola Jokic is an offensive juggernaut, dropping dimes with both substance and flash. He’s also becoming more aggressive as a scorer, which is an important step in his development.
Next to the Joker, Denver has an array of offensive weapons. Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton and Isaiah Thomas is quite the offensive backcourt. Paul Millsap is a talented all-around player who can provide some much-needed stability on defense.
With that said, Denver’s defensive shortcomings will be the one thing holding them back. Embiid can take Jokic in the post, Simmons can gash them in transition and their versatility was severely hampered with the loss of Wilson Chandler (who’s now with the Sixers).
Denver might be the most entertaining offensive team in the NBA, but their holes on defense prevent them from winning this matchup.