The looming Nikola Jokic-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP showdown and shifting Western landscape

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after a long road trip for Michael Malone's bunch. Among the topics discussed: + The Nuggets split a recent four-game swing through the Eastern Conference, winning in Indianapolis and Detroit and losing in Milwaukee and Boston. What was the overall takeaway from the trip?  + Seemingly inspired by the Lakers' recent win in Denver, teams are starting to make a habit of roughing up Nikola Jokic. The tactic led to head coach Michael Malone intentionally taking a technical foul less than a minute into the Nuggets' game at Detroit. Is this a problem for Denver? Or yet another Rubik's Cube that the Joker will eventually conquer? + The Nuggets head to Oklahoma City for a big-time back-to-back early next week, with the NBA MVP race likely hanging in the balance. What does Nikola Jokic need to do to surge past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Is a split fine? Or do he and the Nuggets need a sweep? + Julian Strawther is out for at least the next four weeks after suffering a knee injury. Does this mean the second-year guard will be out of the Malone's playoff rotation? What does this mean down the rest of the roster? More run for Jalen Pickett? + Christian Braun has come on strong over the second half of the season, turning in strong offensive numbers while also improving defensively. Could the former Kansas Jayhawk be in the running for Most Improved Player? + The Lakers are surging, the Mavericks are sinking and the Warriors are thriving with Jimmy Butler caring about basketball once again. How will this all shake out come playoff time? The boys review their preseason wins draft. Who's in first place? Producer: AAron Ontiveroz Music: "The Last Dragons" by Schama Noe