| Denver Nuggets |
Head-to-Head |
Portland Trail Blazers
|
| Michael Malone |
Head Coach |
Chauncey Billups |
| 9-8 (6th in West) |
Standing |
9-8 (7th in West) |
| W-W-W-W |
Form |
W-W-W-L |
| 106.8 (21st of 30) |
Off Rtg |
111.9 (6th of 30) |
| 105.8 (10th of 30) |
Def Rtg |
111.3 (26th of 30) |
| 96.1 (29th of 30) |
Pace |
98.2 (16th of 30) |
|
Leaders (Per Game)
|
| N. Jokic (26.4) |
PPG |
D. Lillard (21.6) |
| N. Jokic (13.6) |
RPG |
J. Nurkic (11.2) |
| N. Jokic (6.4) |
APG |
D. Lillard (8.1) |
| N. Jokic (1.2) |
SPG |
J. Nurkic (1.4) |
| N. Jokic, A. Gordon (0.9) |
BPG |
R. Covington (1.1) |
| N. Jokic (.593)/N. Jokic (10.3) |
FG%/FGM |
C. Zeller (.625)/C. McCollum (7.8) |
| N. Jokic (.410)/W. Barton (2.4) |
3P%/3PM |
N. Powell (.446)/C. McCollum (3.4) |
Injury Report
| Player |
Team |
Date |
Status |
Info |
| J. Murray |
Denver Nuggets |
22 Jul 2021 |
Out (Knee) |
Murray is still recovering from a torn ACL and there is no timetable for his return. |
| M. Porter Jr. |
Denver Nuggets |
9 Nov 2021 |
Out (Back) |
Porter Jr. is expected to miss a significant amount of time. |
| Z. Nnaji |
Denver Nuggets |
20 Nov 2021 |
Out (Ankle) |
Nnaji missed Denver’s Sunday (Nov 21) game. |
| N. Jokic |
Denver Nuggets |
20 Nov 2021 |
Day-to-Day (Wrist) |
Jokic missed Denver’s Sunday (Nov 21) game. |
How can the Trail Blazers beat the Nuggets?
The Portland Trail Blazers are on their usual scoring run, but they can’t neglect the inside game as they try to punish teams from range. With Denver likely having their key big men out, Portland needs to focus the paint.
It won’t be a purely perimeter attack for the Trail Blazers, but one in which they threaten the paint and kick-out to open shooters. Without a singularly talented shot-blocker, the Trail Blazers should have no issue attacking the rim.
In their last game the Trail Blazers had 23 assists on 40 field goals with just 12 turnovers on the evening. While it’s easy to sit back and watch Lillard and McCollum work, the drive-and-kick game will earn Portland a victory.
Trail Blazers Key Player: (G) Damian Lillard
In the Trail Blazers’ last game, a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Damian Lillard returned to his superstar form.
In 37 minutes of play, Lillard posted 39 points, 7 assists, and a surprising 3 blocks on 10 of 21 shooting from the field. While he was just 5 of 13 from three, his 14 of 14 night from the free throw line made up for his inefficiency.
Lillard now faces a struggling yet worrisome Denver Nuggets defence. If Lillard can keep his playmaking sharp, he should continue his excellent scoring form.
How can the Nuggets beat the Trail Blazers?
The Denver Nuggets are expected to go into this game shorthanded. While Jokic say out on Sunday, it was up to the Denver bench to pick up the slack. Suffice to say, they were unable to compete.
The Nuggets had six players score in double-digits in their last game, but they couldn’t contain the offence of the Phoenix Suns. It’s clear how essential Jokic is to the Nuggets’ cause, as they only made 33 of 90 opportunities and shot just 11 of 38 from deep.
Guards Monte Morris, Austin Rivers, and Facundo Campazzo must take more responsibility for creating opportunities for teammates. If the trio can’t create good opportunities for others, the Nuggets simply don’t have the firepower to compete with Portland.
Nuggets Key Player: (F) Jeff Green
In a game where the Nuggets were missing key players in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, it was a surprise to everyone when 14-year NBA veteran Jeff Green stepped up to lead the Nuggets in scoring.
Green posted 19 points and 3 rebounds in a loss to the Phoenix Suns. While he couldn’t find his range from three, his ability to get to the free-throw line was more than welcome for the shorthanded Nuggets.
Whether or not Jokic plays will determine the Nuggets’ chances. However head coach Michael Malone will be comfortable in the fact that he can find production from his role players.
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