Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray show why Nuggets are still NBA title contenders

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning NBA champions and were the best team in the league during the regular season. The San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons are the up-and-coming teams that have emerged as top contenders. But do not forget about the Denver Nuggets, because they are still here, they are still relevant, and they still have a championship duo that is perfectly capable of putting the team on their backs and carrying it to greatness.

The duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray showed that on Saturday in a 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray duo show why Nuggers are still contenders

Both players were outstanding on their own merits, and as individual players, but when you combine what they did together, it is still one of the league's better duos, and they played like it on Saturday.

Jokic finished the game with a triple-double, posting 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists (as well as a steal), while Murray finished with a game-high 30 points, including a perfect 16-of-16 day at the free-throw line. 

This Nuggets team is only a couple of years removed from winning a championship and has won 54 games this season. They are no slouch, and certainly no lightweight in the Western Conference. If they can get their defensive play settled and get performances like this from Jokic and Murray, they are not going to be an easy out.