The prolonged wait made it that much sweeter.
All-Star Nikola Jokic tossed the Nuggets on his back, and for the first time since the 2009-2010 season, Denver can call itself Northwest Division champions.
By virtue of Friday’s 119-110 win over Portland, the Nuggets secured the division crown and, at least, a top-3 seed in the upcoming playoffs.
The Nuggets trailed entering the fourth quarter before Jokic wrested control of the game with his bruising finishes and deft touch around the rim. He scored 10 of his 22 points in the first three-plus minutes of the quarter, while the rest of the team raised their defensive intensity.