The second-round series features the battle of the MVP finalists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are the best players on their respective teams and have jockeyed for the prestigious award all season. Russell Westbrook's playoff return to OKC is also a juicy secondary storyline.

The Clippers and Nuggets will play Game 7 on Saturday, exactly one week since the Thunder won a Game 4 to sweep the Grizzlies.

The Thunder were going to be tested against either possibility. The Nuggets are top-heavy but have one of the best starting lineups, headlined by the best player in the world. Meanwhile, the Clippers were one of the deepest teams in the league and have been red-hot since the All-Star break.