The end matters to Nuggets coach Michael Malone. He wants wins to close out the season.
Not resting players matters to Thunder coach Billy Donovan. Within reason, he said, but generally ending the season with momentum going into the playoffs is his goal.
On Tuesday, both goals could not exist successfully in the same Pepsi Center space.
So the Nuggets' goal gave way.
Oklahoma City used a big second quarter to roll over the Nuggets 124-102, dropping them to their third consecutive loss and fifth in the last six games.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook played — and dominated, in the fashion they almost always have against the Nuggets in the past.