Ranking the 2 outcomes for the Golden State Warriors first-round opponent

Golden State Warriors potential first-round opponent: Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets should be the team the Warriors want to play because their reliance on reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, and the dominance defensively of Green would make it easy to defend them.

With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. not looking likely to make a return, although the Nuggets are leaving “all options on the table,” the Nuggets likely won’t have the several big-time playmakers that Utah does.

Denver ranks 7th in offensive rating and 15th in defensive rating, both worse than Utah. It also sits outside the top ten in net rating, so the Nuggets would likely be an easy team to defeat in a 7-game series.

The Nuggets also haven’t played well in the Western Conference, just 29-22. The West is a more difficult conference, so their struggles are notable. Denver also ranks 18th in offensive rebounding rate, so they don’t crash the boards too much.

With Golden State sitting second in the NBA in opponents’ field goal percentage, they should be able to limit the Nuggets. Denver is the ideal first-round opponent in the Warriors’ current scenario.