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Preview: Denver vs OKC

By Mathew Huff

Jan 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball in front of Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball in front of Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver will have their hands full trying to contain Russell Westbrook.

The Denver Nuggets did not get help from the Utah Jazz who fell victim to Damian Lillard’s 59 point performance. The Nuggets are going to have to get into the post season the hard way if they have any chance.

They are going to have to be careful since Russell Westbrook is on a mission to become the new triple-double king of the NBA. However, the Nuggets still have as good of chance to win this game as the Thunder do.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Let’s just be honest for a moment, Russell Westbrook is going to get his stats no matter. There is just not going to be a way to contain him. However, Denver can still get away with Westbrook having a huge game and still winning.

How you ask? Well, the key is making sure that no one else on the Thunder has a great impact. Guys like Victory Oladipo, Steven Adams, and Enes Kanter have done well this season playing along side Westbrook. They are still susceptible to being shut down once in a while. With all of this in mind, the biggest emphasis for Denver in this game will be defense.

If they force Westbrook to be a one man show, then their chances of of victory increase immensely.  If not, then the Thunder will show why they have had the Nuggets’ number all of these years. Russell Westbrook is great do not get me wrong, but he still needs help like any other superstar.

The Nuggets need to shut down the role players of Oklahoma City, so they can keep their playoff hopes alive. Otherwise, Westbrook will have a career night and be able to top it off with a win. He can have the triple-double record, but the Nuggets need to show up and play for their post season lives. If not, then there are going to be a lot of disappointed fans in the Mile High.

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