Are the Denver Nuggets Boston's only roadblock?
The Boston Celtics are steamrollering their way through the regular season. They have the best record in the league and a comfortable cushion in the Eastern Conference. On Sunday, they mauled the Golden State Warriors to strengthen their claim of being championship favorites.
According to Shannon Sharpe, who was speaking on Monday's episode of ESPN's First Take, the only team that could potentially derail Boston's bid for a championship is the Denver Nuggets.
"They've won 11 straight," Sharpe said. "13 of 16...The playoffs will be a different story. They know they must show up and show out in the playoffs. But, as we sit here right now, ain't nobody close to them in the Eastern Conference. And the only team that can give them a problem is the team I saw on Saturday night. Because Jokic is the MVP. And now you've got Murray doing his thing, especially in clutch time. But, the Boston Celtics are a step above everybody."
The Nuggets have been quietly dominant this season. They have a 42-19 record despite Jamal Murray missing a stretch due to injury. They're still one of the most complete teams in the NBA. However, they have a tougher path back to the NBA Finals. The Western Conference is stacked with high-level teams.
Boston, on the other hand, may have an easier route. That could mean the team is better rested and has more time to prepare for their matchup. The Celtics also have a deeper roster and more high-level talent. Denver would need to rely on Nikola Jokic's exceptional skillset to help offset the difference.
Still, the Celtics are facing significant pressure. The front office constructed a juggernaut of a team. It's a championship or bust season for them. That type of pressure could swing a closely contested series. Boston may be setting the pace in the regular season, but there's still a lot to learn about their roster in a playoff setting. Right now, they're undoubted favorites. That can change pretty quickly once the playoffs get underway.
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