Rockets have an absolutely crucial matchup in store against the Nuggets

The Houston Rockets are not the best team in the Western Conference. That honor belongs to the Thunder. That said, the Rockets might be next, but the Nuggets are nipping at their heels.

So, tonight's contest with them means more than a typical game would.

Rockets are evenly matched with their next opponent

If Net Rating is your preferred metric, the Rockets reign supreme after the indomitable Thunder. Houston is +10.3. The Nuggets are right behind them with a +9.6 Net Rating.

Though if you subscribe to the philosophy that offense is more important than defense, Denver has a case as the second-best team in the Conference. Denver's 124.4 Offensive Rating paces the entire league, while Houston's 121.4 ranks fourth. The Rockets' advantage comes on defense, where their 111.0 Defensive Rating is second in the NBA (behind, again, the Thunder). Denver's 114.8 mark is mediocre, ranking 12th.

Enough numbers. Let's talk basketball. Nikola Jokic is clearly the best player between these two teams. The Rockets' best player is, depending on who you ask, Alperen Sengun or Kevin Durant. Sengun is a comparable player to Jokic, but he's a lesser version. At 37, Durant can't approach Jokic's offensive impact.

The Rockets' advantage comes with their depth. Denver had a strong offseason that saw them bolster their roster, but the Rockets still have a deeper cast of quality players.

Which roster construction will reign supreme?

Rockets need to prove a point against the Nuggets

Let it be said that this is only a regular-season game. If the Rockets lose, it doesn't mean they're incapable of beating the Nuggets.

Moreover, the aforementioned depth advantage will be offset by the absence of Dorian Finney-Smith. Tari Eason is currently listed as questionable, which is exciting for Rockets fans. Still, if Eason does suit up, he's likely to be on a minutes restriction.

Still, this is a high-leverage regular-season bout. The Rockets are missing a signature win this season. That's partly a product of the schedule, but make no mistake:

Tonight represents an opportunity.

Houston needs to do whatever it can to mitigate Jokic's impact. They need to stunt, and sometimes outright double-team the former MVP.

That said, they can't sleep on Jamal Murray either. He's having a fantastic season, and he's been on a particular tear lately. Perhaps the goal is to stop Jokic and dare Murray to beat them, but the Rockets need to be careful: Murray can do that.

That's part of what's made Denver arguably the second-best team in the NBA.