Portland To Bounce Back For Game 2 Cover In Denver
Portland (57-31 SU, 48-39-1 ATS) at Denver (59-31 SU, 46-44 ATS)
When: 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
NBA Pick: Trail Blazers ATS
For all of the difficulty that Portland had in defending Denver's bigs and in containing Jamal Murray, they could have won this game straight-up if not for a number of self-inflicted errors and fixable deficiencies. The key phase began with 8:57 in the fourth quarter with Portland down 96-101. In the ensuing 90 seconds, Portland committed two turnovers, missed a short-range shot attempt, committed a flagrant foul that led to two free throws for Denver, and allowed Nugget backup Mason Plumlee to score four points. After this phase, Denver was up 107-96 and won by eight.
One could call this phase in the fourth quarter a minor meltdown and it proved to be decisive. In some ways, though, this minor meltdown phase constituted a microcosm of Portland's fixable problems in this game. One, Portland made too many awful passes. It finished the game with 18 turnovers, well above its season average, which led to 23 points for Denver. Two, Portland shot 74.1% from the free throw line, seven percent below its season average. In addition to its 17-point deficit in points off turnovers, a few more free throws could have given it an additional boost.
The Trail Blazers could not have done a worse job defending Denver's bigs. The Nuggets will continue to have a physical advantage in the post. While Portland tried switching up its coverage on them in Game 1, it can do a better job of finding the right match-ups. In particular, Enes Kanter will likely guard Paul Millsap in Game 2. Kanter was Millsap's teammate for two years and is familiar with his style of play. Also, when Portland turns the ball over less, it won't suffer from as many mismatches in its transition defense.
Otherwise, the Blazers will benefit from having just played Denver because they did not look prepared for Game 1. Expect them to make adjustments against Denver's pick-and-roll attack and to prevent them from getting into their sets so easily. One tactic that was effective in the second half was to play with a smaller lineup.
Denver's trio of Nikola Jokic, Millsap, and Murray combined for 79 points. Portland only needs to slow them down a bit because it has a lot of potential on offense especially when it cleans up the turnovers. In particular, Damian Lillard continues to be superhuman, splitting defenders and dashing to the basket. Overall, he scored 39 points on 12-for-21 shooting. But he's typically more efficient from three and six turnovers is likewise uncharacteristic from him.
Against Denver's top-notch perimeter defense, it's crucial for Portland to succeed in the paint. The Blazers actually outscored Denver inside. Lillard was a big part of that, as was Enes Kanter, who scored 26 points in 33 minutes. They should receive a boost from their two starting forwards who were spiritually absent in Game 1, combining for all of four points, eight rebounds, four assists, and six turnovers.
On the other side, Denver played its best game and shot beyond itself from three. The Nuggets came with more emotion and looked well-seasoned off of their short rest, whereas Portland in many ways looked like a team that had sat for about a week. Expect the Blazers to come back better prepared with no rust, more fight, and more efficiency.
Portland (57-31 SU, 48-39-1 ATS) at Denver (59-31 SU, 46-44 ATS)
When: 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
NBA Pick: Trail Blazers ATS
For all of the difficulty that Portland had in defending Denver's bigs and in containing Jamal Murray, they could have won this game straight-up if not for a number of self-inflicted errors and fixable deficiencies. The key phase began with 8:57 in the fourth quarter with Portland down 96-101. In the ensuing 90 seconds, Portland committed two turnovers, missed a short-range shot attempt, committed a flagrant foul that led to two free throws for Denver, and allowed Nugget backup Mason Plumlee to score four points. After this phase, Denver was up 107-96 and won by eight.
One could call this phase in the fourth quarter a minor meltdown and it proved to be decisive. In some ways, though, this minor meltdown phase constituted a microcosm of Portland's fixable problems in this game. One, Portland made too many awful passes. It finished the game with 18 turnovers, well above its season average, which led to 23 points for Denver. Two, Portland shot 74.1% from the free throw line, seven percent below its season average. In addition to its 17-point deficit in points off turnovers, a few more free throws could have given it an additional boost.
The Trail Blazers could not have done a worse job defending Denver's bigs. The Nuggets will continue to have a physical advantage in the post. While Portland tried switching up its coverage on them in Game 1, it can do a better job of finding the right match-ups. In particular, Enes Kanter will likely guard Paul Millsap in Game 2. Kanter was Millsap's teammate for two years and is familiar with his style of play. Also, when Portland turns the ball over less, it won't suffer from as many mismatches in its transition defense.
Otherwise, the Blazers will benefit from having just played Denver because they did not look prepared for Game 1. Expect them to make adjustments against Denver's pick-and-roll attack and to prevent them from getting into their sets so easily. One tactic that was effective in the second half was to play with a smaller lineup.
Denver's trio of Nikola Jokic, Millsap, and Murray combined for 79 points. Portland only needs to slow them down a bit because it has a lot of potential on offense especially when it cleans up the turnovers. In particular, Damian Lillard continues to be superhuman, splitting defenders and dashing to the basket. Overall, he scored 39 points on 12-for-21 shooting. But he's typically more efficient from three and six turnovers is likewise uncharacteristic from him.
Against Denver's top-notch perimeter defense, it's crucial for Portland to succeed in the paint. The Blazers actually outscored Denver inside. Lillard was a big part of that, as was Enes Kanter, who scored 26 points in 33 minutes. They should receive a boost from their two starting forwards who were spiritually absent in Game 1, combining for all of four points, eight rebounds, four assists, and six turnovers.
On the other side, Denver played its best game and shot beyond itself from three. The Nuggets came with more emotion and looked well-seasoned off of their short rest, whereas Portland in many ways looked like a team that had sat for about a week. Expect the Blazers to come back better prepared with no rust, more fight, and more efficiency.
