The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers face off in a crucial matchup on Friday night as these two sides continue to fight for positioning in the Western Conference. The 42-24 Nuggets enter Friday's game tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 2 spot in the West, while the Lakers are just one game behind them at 40-24.

Telling reporters afterward that he's "playing the best basketball of my life," Denver star Nikola Jokic had 35 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists, as his Nuggets defeated the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 140-127 on Monday night.

Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault came up with a shrewd maneuver to literally slow down the way Jokic wants to play.