The Nuggets secured home court advantage in the first round, with their 117-112 win in Charlotte. They can still get as high as the 3rd seed, but will not be any lower than the 4th seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.
As the game ended, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly told Head Coach Michael Malone that Denver is the only team in the West to have home court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs each of the last 3 seasons.
Denver was led by Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. who each scored 30 points. Joker also added 11 points and 6 assists. The question now becomes do the Nuggets rest anyone, specifically Jokic and MPJ. Malone said postgame the team is looking at all options. Porter said he wasn't in a hurry to sit, and that he feels "100 percent" but acknowledged if he had to sit to avoid any flukey injuries he would be ok with it.
As for Jokic and his thought about sitting, he seemed to not really have a decision one way or the other, but did admit, he had the goal of wanting to play every game. When asked about his MVP candidacy and if the final 3 games matters, he wasn't sure, but did say, "I've had the best season of my life...we've had to deal with some ups and downs," but as for being the NBA Most Valuable Player, "if it happens, it happens."