Nikola Jokic has reiterated what National Basketball Association (NBA) fans would have realised by now, that the Western Conference is "really, really tough".
On April 10, the Serb scored 41 points as the Denver Nuggets reclaimed pole position in the Western play-off race with a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in their top-of-the-table clash.
In a hard-fought showdown in Denver that saw the lead change hands 15 times, the Nuggets finally pulled clear in the fourth quarter to seal victory.
The result means the reigning NBA champions lead the West by one game with two regular-season fixtures remaining.
With lowly ranked Memphis and San Antonio as their final opponents, Denver (56-24) are now heavy favourites to finish top of the conference and seal the No. 1 seeding and home advantage through the play-offs.
"We found a way to win, our defence in the fourth quarter was amazing," Jokic told ESPN, before downplaying the significance of Denver's return to the top.
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