Crucial Denver Victory Over Champions Secures Playoff Advantage: Where Jokic and the Nuggets Begin Their Title Quest and Against Whom

David Adelman's squad, even without their starting five, managed to overcome the reigning champions, Oklahoma.

The Nuggets currently hold the third seed with a 53-28 record. If they defeat San Antonio in their final regular-season game, they will secure that position.

The Lakers are still breathing down Denver's neck, trailing by one win after defeating Phoenix (101:73). However, the Rockets have fallen out of contention for a top-four spot after losing to Minnesota (136:132).

Therefore, it's certain that both the Nuggets and Lakers will have home-court advantage in the playoffs; the only question remaining is who will finish third and who will be fourth.

Houston will enter the playoffs as the fifth seed. The Timberwolves, who couldn't move up or down the standings before this game, remain in sixth place.

If they defeat the Spurs in their final game, the Nuggets will undoubtedly finish third. In that scenario, Nikola Jokic and his teammates would face Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs.

This would mean the Lakers remain in fourth place, setting up a playoff clash with Houston.

It's worth noting that Oklahoma had already secured the top spot in the Western Conference, while the Spurs will finish second. Their opponents will be determined after the play-in tournament games are concluded.

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