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By Matt Levine
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder are gearing up for the first matchup of a back-to-back between the two sides. The top two teams in the Western Conference are squaring off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder pretty much have the top seed in the West wrapped up but the Nuggets are still jockeying for seeding. Denver jumped back to being the No. 2 seed due to the Los Angeles Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday.
These games mean a little more to the Nuggets, but the Thunder will also be looking to make a statement. The Thunder's injury report looks fairly clean entering this game.
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But the Nuggets have a few notable players listed on it. The biggest name is star center Nikola Jokic who has been dealing with some left ankle inflammation.
Jokic was listed as probable for this contest and will play in this important game.
Denver is a completely different team when Jokic is on the floor as he gives them a true offensive machine to run things through. Jokic is arguably the best player in the NBA today so Denver needs him healthy for the stretch run of the season.
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Forward Aaron Gordon has also found himself on the injury report heading into this game. Gordon was also listed as probable for the contest and will play in this game.
This matchup between the Thunder and Nuggets will showcase the top two candidates for the MVP honor this season. Jokic and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the frontrunners right now, with an edge being given to Gilgeous-Alexander.
But if Denver can make a statement down the stretch, maybe Jokic can reclaim his place in the top spot. However, in all likelihood, Gilgeous-Alexander will be taking home his first-ever MVP award this year barring any significant changes.
Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 32.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. His steady presence has allowed the Thunder to claim the top spot in the West once again.
As for Jokic, he has put together another incredible season for the Nuggets. The star is averaging 28.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
Both players deserve the award, but only one can win. These last few games between the two teams could affect the voting, so each side will be looking to make its case.
More NBA news:
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Mavericks Star Anthony Davis Could Now Miss Rest of Season Following Kyrie Irving Injury
Lakers' LeBron James Makes NBA History as First to Reach 50K Points
For more NBA news and rumors, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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