Houston and Denver can both score through a lead creator and a separate late finisher. The frontcourt matchup shapes how often those creators get a clean second action. Recent comebacks by both teams make the response after the first run more revealing than the opening margin.
Sengun can make Jokic defend, with Thompson attacking downhill and Durant finishing Houston's half-court possessions. Jokic can answer against Houston's limited reserve size, drawing help before Murray and Denver's cutters get their chances. Denver's main names are listed questionable for this match, but all played substantial minutes in their latest game; Houston's missing reserve center leaves Sengun and Smith carrying the interior work. Denver's bench can cover the middle stretch, and Murray gives it another late handler when Houston loads toward Jokic. I'm siding with the Nuggets to win.
