3 things to watch in Nuggets-Thunder on League Pass
Isaiah Joe of the Oklahoma City Thunder places up a shot in entrance of Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets through the second half.
The Denver Nuggets (52-28) host the Oklahoma City Thunder (64-16) at Ball Arena on Friday. The Thunder have gained all three video games towards the Nuggets this season and are on the lookout for the season sweep. With that mentioned, all three video games have been determined by 10 factors or fewer.
Here are three key storylines to know heading into at present’s matchup:
1. The Nuggets are wanting to safe the three-seed: Denver is taking part in its greatest ball on the proper time, getting into this matchup amid a 10-game successful streak. That late-season emergence has them only one win away from clinching the three-seed in the Western Conference. They’ve been neck-and-neck with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves for that spot, however the 2023 Champions have been taking part in the very best basketball of that bunch.
What’s actually helped flip things round is the Nuggets’ well being. Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson each returned proper round when that streak began, and it is actually given this workforce a lift subsequent to All-Stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Johnson has actually discovered his groove since his return, averaging 15.2 factors, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals whereas capturing 56 % during the last 15 fixtures. That’s shut to what Michael Porter Jr. was offering in the previous, and that is what Nuggets followers need to see.
2. The Thunder clinched homecourt on Wednesday: Oklahoma City had the very best report in the NBA final season, and so they achieved that aim once more this yr. A 128-110 street win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday secured Oklahoma City the very best report in the league and homecourt benefit all through the postseason. It additionally marks OKC’s seventh straight win and offers them a 19-1 report throughout their final 20 outings.
Seeing the very best workforce in the NBA get this sizzling heading into the playoffs is a scary sight for the remainder of the league, and so they’re additionally getting wholesome. Jalen Williams simply returned to motion two weeks in the past, and this workforce could have per week off earlier than their first playoff sport after securing homecourt benefit on Wednesday.
3. MVP candidates on show: This (*3*) has been an thrilling race all season lengthy, and at present’s matchup will function one of many high three candidates.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP, averaging 31.1 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals per sport this yr. Nikola Jokić has recorded a triple-double in 11 of his final 16 outings, averaging 27.8 factors, 12.9 rebounds, 10.9 assists and 1.4 steals per sport. Both of those guys are worthy candidates, however Victor Wembanyama can also be in the dialogue. The Spurs’ large man is averaging 24.8 factors, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.1 blocks whereas carrying San Antonio to the second-best report in the NBA. It’s unclear which of those guys might be topped, however that is one remaining alternative for Jokić to at the least sway some voters.
