Jakob Poeltl-Nikola Jokic matchup looms large in a classic centre duel

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Somewhat fitting of their recent play of late, the Raptors are in the Mile High City hoping to keep the good times rolling, while at the same time hoping to solidify a top-six playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Back-to-back home wins following a brutal road loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans helped instill some much-needed confidence leading to the kind of swagger that was in full display in the Raptors’ dismantling of the host Chicago Bulls Wednesday night.

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The visitors shot the lights out and basically played with a double-digit lead for what seemed like the entire 48 minutes en route to a 139-109 beatdown.

It was high-level hoops, even if it was fashioned against a very inferior opponent.

Now comes the challenge of playing in Denver against a Nuggets team coming off an embarrassing 125-118 loss to the host Memphis Grizzlies.

Shockingly, Nikola Jokic tied his career high by committing 10 turnovers in Memphis as the Joker flirted with an infamous quadruple-double.

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Alarm Bells Raised

Granted, the Nuggets were playing the second game of a back to back, but the loss did raise alarm bells.

Teams with championship aspirations normally bounce back from poor efforts, especially when playing at home.

Friday night, the odds would seem to be against the Raptors as they try to avoid getting swept by the Nuggets.

In terms of recent play and swagger, the Raptors have a decisive edge.

Add it all up and Toronto’s second tip on its five-game road trip has the makings of a classic duel, a Denver team in desperate need of redemption versus a Raptors side looking to maintain its metaphorical high.

When the teams last hooked up, Denver was in Toronto on New Year’s Eve.

No Joker, who was unavailable because of a knee injury, no problem for the Nuggets as they held on for the win.

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In the interim, the Nuggets have gone 19-18 and have gradually dropped in the West.

It culminated with the loss to the Grizzlies, who entered Wednesday on an eight-game losing streak.

Turnover-Prone Joker

Jokic had as many turnovers as the entire Grizzlies team.

Denver would threaten, but ultimately suffered a painful defeat.

“Really a bad loss for us,’’ said Denver head coach David Adelman following the loss.

“I give them (Grizzlies) credit, they played super fast, they played how they play. There are no excuses.

“I knew we’d be somewhat tired and lethargic, but it’s a long game, there’s a lot of time to get yourself involved in the game and I felt we just waited too long.”

In contrast, the Raptors imposed their will right from the jump in Chicago and would see seven players reach double figures in scoring.

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RJ Barrett set the tone on a night the Raptors looked very good against a very bad Chicago team.

During a long NBA season, moments arrive when teams are positioned to take that next step.

For the Raptors, it arrives Friday.

Big games await the Raptors as the regular season winds down, but no game is as big as Friday.

Denver has so much to prove, the Joker can’t possibly play as poorly as he did in Memphis, while the Raptors need to keep this momentum.

Given all the underlining subplots, a win Friday night and the Raptors will almost assuredly avoid the dreaded play-in tournament.

Escaping Denver with a win is no easy task, playing a Nuggets team coming off a brutal loss when basketball’s best player looked ordinary and one gets a picture of what the Raptors are venturing into before they take their road show to Phoenix.

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For the host Nuggets, it’s a chance to bounce back amid growing concern Denver is not a serious contender.

For the Raptors, it’s a chance to add even more confidence.

In the game within the game, the Joker-Jakob Poeltl matchup will be interesting to monitor.

Jokic will be the best player on the floor, but the next two happen to be Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, who needed to take only a combined 17 shots in the win over the Bulls.

The tandem also combined to commit seven of Toronto’s 18 turnovers.

Poeltl Needs to Shine

After being torched 142-103 by the visiting New York Knicks, Denver took care of business at home by beating Houston 129-93 and Philly 124-96 Tuesday night.

At 42-28, the Nuggets reside in the sixth slot in the West, while the 39-29 Raptors sit fifth in the East.

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Jokic needs to put his team on his back as the Nuggets look to bounce back against the Raptors.

His running mate, Kitchener’s Jamal Murray, recorded 12 assists in Memphis, while turning the ball over but once.

Protecting the rock on the road is a must, limiting second-chance opportunities by controlling the defensive boards and offensive execution are essential.

The significance of Friday’s tip can’t be overstated considering the stakes for both teams.

Denver will be the more desperate team and how the Raptors respond will reveal a lot about their mental toughness.

The city’s high altitude, the presence of the Joker, the negative chatter surrounding the Nuggets and one begins to realize what the Raptors need to overcome.

A win is more than possible if the Raptors can play a clean road game.

The Barnes-Ingram factor is always a key for Toronto.

The X-factor is Barrett on a night shaping up as compelling basketball.

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