The Portland Trail Blazers are certainly scoring-adept, but their inability to match the Nuggets in the paint will be their biggest issue.
Pick:
Denver Nuggets to Win ()
Check out our NBA betting bonuses and promo codes here!
How to Watch Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets
| Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Information |
| What |
Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets |
| Where |
Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado |
| When |
10:00 PM EST, February 23rd, 2021 |
| How to Watch |
TNT |
Head-to-Head: Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets
| Portland Trail Blazers |
Head-to-Head |
Denver Nuggets |
| Terry Stotts |
Head Coach |
Mike Malone |
| 18-11 (5th in West) |
Standing |
16-14 (7th in West) |
| L-W-W-W |
Form |
L-W-L-L |
| 116.2 (6th of 30) |
Off Rtg |
116.6 (5th of 30) |
| 115.8 (28th of 30) |
Def Rtg |
112.8 (21st of 30) |
| 99.2 (16th of 30) |
Pace |
97.4 (28th of 30) |
|
Leaders (Per Game)
|
| D. Lillard (30.0) |
PPG |
N. Jokic (26.6) |
| E. Kanter (11.1) |
RPG |
N. Jokic (11.1) |
| D. Lillard (7.9) |
APG |
N. Jokic (8.5) |
| R. Covington (1.6) |
SPG |
N. Jokic (1.7) |
| R. Covington, D. Jones (1.0) |
BPG |
M. Porter (1.2) |
| E. Kanter (.585)/C. McCollum (9.5) |
FG%/FGM |
N. Jokic (.564)/N. Jokic (10.1) |
| N. Little (.579)/C. McCollum (4.8) |
3P%/3PM |
Z. Nnaji (.440)/J. Murray (2.5) |
Limit Chances in the Paint
The Portland Trail Blazers are a famously one-way team. While their defense is improved over last season, they still allow their opponents too many easy opportunities inside.
In their last matchup, a loss to the Washington Wizards, the Trail Blazers allowed their opponents to shoot 50.6% from the field. Their perimeter defense was more admirable, coaxing the Wizards into six of 26 shooting from three.
If they hope to beat the Nuggets, they must be focused on preventing easy opportunities at the rim. They’re certainly shorthanded, with the likes of Nurkic and Giles unavailable, so it’ll be up to the wing players to put in the extra effort.
Editor’s Picks
Denver Must Battle on the Glass
The Denver Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals last season off the back of tremendous skill and a blue-collar attitude. In many of their losses, the Nuggets just haven’t put in the correct effort to stay in the game.
In their most recent loss to the Hawks, their lack of effort appeared in their rebounding stats. Other than Jokic, no Nugget player had much effect on the glass – a precursor to them being outrebounded 33 to 44.
The difference in rebounding is small between these two teams, so if Denver hopes to win the game they’ll need to establish their inside presence early.
Trail Blazers Key Player: (C) Enes Kanter
The Trail Blazers are shorthanded at the center position, but starting pivot man Enes Kanter has been doing his utmost with little backup at the five.
Kanter had 19 points and 13 rebounds in his last match against the Washington Wizards. His production is right in stride with his team-leading 11.1 rebounds per game.
Kanter, not known as the best defensive presence, will be responsible for handling Nikola Jokic in this matchup. While Jokic is about as nimble as Kanter, being able to intelligently defend Jokic at his various positions of danger will be key to the Trail Blazers’ success.
Nuggets Key Player: (G) Facundo Campazzo
Rookie point guard Facundo Campazzo may be in his first year in the NBA, but his experience is greater than any other player in his class. Over his last five games, Campazzo has been very productive.
Campazzo is averaging 14.0 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 29.1 minutes per game. His ability to hit from three has been a great complement to the Nuggets lineup.
Small in stature but great in heart, Campazzo will be chasing around two of the best attacking guards in the NBA. He’ll be key in not only slowing them down but initiating the offense when Murray and Jokic are off the floor.
/filters:no_upscale()/fit-in/1200x585/1665752032/blazers-vs-nuggets-2021-02-23.jpg.jpeg "blazers-vs-nuggets-2021-02-23")
/1666344578/christian-jope.png "Christian jope")
/dmca.png "Dmca"){kind=small}
/1670944202/21.png "21"){kind=small}
/1670944628/2022-igb-best-casino-affiliate-gig-media-e1651053747946.png "2022 igb best casino affiliate gig media e1651053747946"){kind=small}
/1670944701/gig-media-power-affiliates-rank-123x40-1.png "Gig media power affiliates rank 123x40 1"){kind=icon}
/1670944773/800-gambler-black-144x40.jpg "800 gambler black 144x40"){kind=small}
/1718715753/gpwa.webp "Gpwa"){kind=small}
