In a thrilling showdown, the Denver Nuggets edged out the Los Angeles Clippers 101-99, tying their playoff series at 2-2. Aaron Gordon's sensational buzzer-beater, a dunk off a deflected Nikola Jokic shot, highlighted a game that saw the Nuggets nearly squander a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter. Tensions flared during a significant scuffle involving Gordon, Christian Braun, and James Harden, resulting in technical fouls for several players, including Jokic and Norman Powell. Michael Porter Jr.'s impulsive bench exit during the altercation has raised concerns about a potential suspension for Game 5, as he was seen straying too far from the bench, violating NBA rules on player conduct during fights.

A tense Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers escalated when Aaron Gordon confronted James Harden, prompting a skirmish that resulted in multiple technical fouls. With six offsetting technicals issued, both teams displayed a competitive edge typical of playoff basketball. Despite the heated moments, no ejections were made, as officials deemed all parties equally involved. Nuggets coach David Adelman praised the situation for enhancing the game’s excitement and competitiveness.

As the game progressed, Gordon noted the intensity that builds from frequent matchups between the same teams. Meanwhile, Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. faced potential repercussions for leaving the bench during the altercation, reminiscent of past playoff suspensions. His prompt apology highlighted the intense atmosphere, while players like Harden and Powell later displayed camaraderie, emphasizing the spirit of playoff challenges.

The waiver wire is crucial in fantasy basketball, offering opportunities to pick up players who can significantly impact your team. This season, several players with an ADP outside the top 130 emerged as valuable assets. Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks, with a preseason ADP of 136, showcased remarkable talent, ranking 14th overall with averages of 14.1 points and a historic 229 steals. Christian Braun, starting for the Denver Nuggets, improved throughout the season, finishing with 15.4 points per game and a final month rank of 41.

Kelly Oubre of the Philadelphia 76ers had a rollercoaster season, affected by injuries but managing a solid 15.1 points when healthy. Jaden McDaniels displayed flashes of brilliance for the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Tari Eason from the Houston Rockets began slowly but became a potential draft target next season. Adem Bona and Toumani Camara both found their footing late in the season, suggesting they could be valuable picks as well.

The Denver Nuggets are on the brink of securing home-court advantage in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs with a win against the Houston Rockets. A victory would lock them in as the No. 4 seed, following a turbulent week that saw them fire head coach Michael Malone. Despite the coaching shake-up, Nikola Jokic remains a dominant force, having averaged a triple-double for the season and coming off a strong performance where he scored 26 points, 13 assists, and 16 rebounds against the Grizzlies.

The Rockets, already settled in as the No. 2 seed, aim to keep their momentum by fielding their top players, with only Jae'Sean Tate listed as unavailable. The Nuggets are favored by 9 points, with the total set at 234.5. Betting analysis suggests looking at player props for Jokic, who may not hit his points, rebounds, and assists (PRA) line, especially as he historically underperforms in similar matchups. The SportsLine Projection Model indicates that Jokic could fall short of his PRA line, projecting him for 45.2 against the Rockets.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets will average a triple-double for the season, a rare achievement that places him among only three players in NBA history to accomplish this feat. He reached a statistical certainty with his fourth assist in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, bringing his season total to 700 assists. The previous players to achieve this milestone are Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson.

This season, Jokic has already tallied 34 triple-doubles, surpassing the combined total of any other three players in the league. His scoring, rebounding, and assist averages are also on track to hit career highs, reflecting his extraordinary versatility on the court.