The Denver Nuggets lead the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals despite OKC being heavy favorites to win the West. Both of the Nuggets’ wins were due to late-game OKC collapses,

According to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, these are the growing pains the second-youngest first seed has to go through to have playoff success. The title favorite now faces a 2-1 series deficit and must split with Denver to avoid a dreaded 3-1 hole.

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said after the Nuggets' 149-106 Game 2 loss Wednesday that the Thunder is “fouling. Point blank, period.” Asked if he was bracing for a shift in what Friday’s crew allowed physically, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault attempted to take air out of the narrative.