Portland-Denver: Huge Showdown in Northwest Division

The first sign is a tingling underfoot, which quickly grows to a rumbling on the tracks. To the east, a rising plume of spent diesel, boiling hundreds of feet into the air. From the west, the roar of tons of steel and grease, rushing through the night.

Finally, ominous whistles scream in unison, signaling the impending collision...

Okay, okay. My overactive imagination sometimes gets the better of me. Nevertheless, the drama unfolding in Denver on Monday night has the same course-altering potential as the imminent impact described above.

The Portland Trail Blazers (17-10) and the Denver Nuggets (17-10) are on a collision course in a rare home-and-home battle on Monday and Tuesday. The outcome could go a long way in determining the champion in the hotly-contested Northwest Division.

The other likely contender, the Utah Jazz (17-12), are a game back and are finishing up a tough east coast road trip. Then, after the dust settles in Portland on Tuesday, their hope is that the two combatants have pummeled each other into weakness.

A sweep of the upcoming Portland-Denver battles would launch the winner into the driver's seat for the coveted division title. That accomplishment would secure at least a top-four playoff seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

A split would merely keep things as they are: a tight, three-way race.

The Trail Blazers have the advantage of three days rest and the momentum of two impressive wins. However Denver, coming off three straight losses, is motivated and will have an assist from their thin, mile-high air in game one.

Portland's Brandon Roy has stepped up his already high-quality game, and has rejuvenated his team after a grueling season-opening schedule. Meanwhile, Denver's Chauncey Billups, acquired in an early-season trade, has more than filled the hole left by departed Allen Iverson.

With only one third of the season played, it may seem a bit early to be thinking of division titles. But this series has the feel of an Old West street fight which could prove to be a milepost for both teams in the 2008-09 season.

The graying sheriff sauntered slowly to the old familiar spot, mid-street, in front of his office. He had tried to dissuade the drunken saloon scum to go home and sleep it off. But the whiskey only brought another challenge.

The lawman held no personal grudge, but he had to harden his heart. It never got any easier. He pulled the corner of his coat back, exposing the Colt. He drew a breath, then waited...

See? Here I go again!