Durant and Jokić headline a matchup built on contrasting ambitions

Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokić provide the headline matchup in a game where every possession should matter. Houston enters with a 7-3 record, while playoff contender Denver comes in after eight games with several players uncertain around its core. Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, DeMar DeRozan, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun are among the Nuggets listed as day-to-day. The absences of Clint Capela and Steven Adams could also reshape Houston’s interior rotations.