DENVER — Nikola Jokic considers the Denver Nuggets a dark horse in the race for an NBA title.

Technically speaking, of course, they’re not. Far from it, even.

The Nuggets are only slightly behind the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder as a favorite to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the season. One thing’s for sure: There’s plenty of horsepower in the Northwest Division, with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves a strong contender, too. Portland and Utah are up-and-comers with youthful lineups.

“They are definitely the hunted one and they’re playing good,” Jokic said of the Thunder. “Hopefully we can be the — how do you say it? The silent knight? Silent horse? Dark horse.”

In the league’s annual pre-season polling of general managers, three of the top four se

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