Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is likely to be named NBA MVP on Wednesday, but he and the Thunder would not be where they are according to star big man Chet Holmgren, the star guard said Tuesday.

Holmgren had 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field while adding 11 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in 28 minutes. He was among those who provided ample support for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who paced Oklahoma City with 35 points to go along with four assists and three steals.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed his team’s naysayers after Game 5. After Tuesday’s 112-105 win against the Nuggets, Daigneault credited Thunder's Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and the rest of his team for taking a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Is it possible these are the two best teams left in the NBA playoffs? When making an Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets prediction, you have to factor in everything we’ve seen through five games and be ready to take a bold stand.