Game Thread GAME# 80: NUGGETS @ BLAZERS - APRIL 7, 2019 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM , NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2019-19 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
DENVER NUGGETS
53 - 26
(20-19 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
50 - 29
(30-9 Home)

______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

JAMAL MURRAY VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

GARY HARRIS VS RODNEY HOOD

SF

WILL BARTON VS MARUICE HARKLESS

PF

PAUL MILLSAP VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

C

NIKOLA JOKIC VS ENES KANTER

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------- JERSEYS -------

---

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WHEN: 6:00 PM (PDT), SUNDAY, 4/5/2019

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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--------------BENCH--------------

---- DENVER NUGGETS ----

THOMAS , GOODWIN , MORRIS

BEASLEY , CRAIG , VANDERBILT

HERNANGOMEZ , LYDON , LYLES

PLUMLEE , WELSH

---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

CURRY , SIMONS , TURNER

TRENT Jr. , LAYMAN

LABISSIERE , COLLINS , LEONARD



INJURIES
NUGGETS
Michael Porter Jr. (low back surgery): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Seth Curry (left tibia soreness): PROBABLE
C.J. McCollum (left leg injury): PROBABLE
Jusuf Nurkic (left leg injury): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

MICHAEL MALONE--- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL NUGGETS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 97-82
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 68-22
AT THE NUGGETS: Nuggets lead, 60-29

​

 

[Darkwebs]

It's a deja vu game, as the same two Northwest teams battle on the court once again. However, the stakes are a lot different this time around.

With Denver's victory over Portland in the previous game, the Nuggets assured themselves of at least the 3rd seed, guaranteeing homecourt advantage in the first round of the Playoffs. They also claimed the Northwest Division title from the Blazers, who won it last year. That's the bad news for Portland fans. The good news, though, is that there's a real chance Denver may rest some of their players this game since they have secured a favorable spot in the Playoffs.

As for Portland, they now have absolutely no chance at the second seed, but seeds 3-5 are still in play. With a streaking Utah team coming up from the Blazers' rear, it is imperative that Portland wins this game if they want homecourt in the first round.

If Denver does indeed give some of their rotation players a rest, then this becomes a must-win for Portland, if not for their own pride (they want to avoid a sweep), then for the sanity of the fans. This is the penulitimate home game of the season, and because the final home game versus Sacramento may see the Blazers resting most of their starters (assuming seedings are basically locked in by then), the top Blazers players may want to play their hearts out one last time in the regular season for Rip City fanatics, if not for themselves.

TLDR: it doesn't matter who plays- just play hard, play smart, play focused, and get the W!

Rip City, baby!

 

[Darkwebs]

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS RACE

As of 4/5/2019
​

Remaining Schedules for
HOUSTON __ PORTLAND ___ UTAH

 

[TBpup]

Must win game or the Blazers could find themselves in danger of losing HCA.

 

[Labinot41]

I dont want to play OKC in the Playoffs, that would be a disaster. Hopefully we play Clippers, Jazz or Spurs

 

[kjironman1]

I think Jokic is good yes. But you have to go with Cousins or Anthony Davis (please don't try to tell me he is a PF). I also think Embiid is a more dynamic center.

 

[kjironman1]

Get this win.

 

[James lamphear]

Majority of the Blazers were lock in last night and we started off strong. But like the playoffs I like see how Stotts adjust how he going to get Dame better looks. The defensive has to step up a lot better then they did.

 

[wizenheimer]

sure seems like wishful thinking that Denver will rest starters in this game. They are in a battle with Houston for 2nd seed and HCA and Houston own the tiebreaker

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

For what its worth Jokic is a good center but for him to be a great center he’s gotta play way better defense. Watching him and Kanter is entertaining because really their defense is only good when the refs allow them to get away with fouling.

Id take Embiid over him, even with the injury history. If were calling AD a center I would take him.
Lets get this win!

 

[Chris Craig]

Nurkic is the best center

 

[blue9]

Jokic is a good offensive C, but until he plays D he won't be able to be the best. Still not sold on DEN being as good as their record indicates - they better hope to get LAC in the first round or they might get bounced.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Nurkic is the best center

Not Kanter?

 

[Chris Craig]

Not Kanter?

2nd best

 

[noknobs]

Last night was actually a little encouraging for me. To be in the game late into the fourth, on the road against the 2nd seed, and despite Damian having a rough night, and not having Curry or CJ play, and the officiating being about the worst I've seen all year. We also missed about 4 or 5 point-blank lay-ins in the first half. I'm talking uncontested, POINT-BLANK LAY-INS!!

The starters had to play heavy minutes due to the ineptitude of several bench players and at that altitude I could tell they were gassed. Doesn't mean this will be a win or anything but it was still encouraging.

 

[KingSpeed]

I wish Stotts had stuck with Simons for second half. He got two good looks and played good in first half.

 

[Chris Craig]

I wish Stotts had stuck with Simons for second half. He got two good looks and played good in first half.

If Curry is still out, we may see more of Simons. As long as we don't see Meyers. If Meyers is in, he needs to shoot 3s, there needs to be plays drawn up for that. Its the only reason to have him in.

 

[DDolla]

Hello CJ

 

[BigGameDamian]

Hello CJ

So that means Hood back to the bench. Personally, I like him in the starting lineup.

 

[illmatic99]

Seth probable as well!

 

[Eastoff]

Seth probable as well!

Everything's coming up Milhouse!

 

[brooklynballer]

Jokic, Millsap and Murray being rested against the Blazers on Sunday. This should help us make a run at the #3 seed!

 

[BonesJones]

Denver probably wants us to be the 3 seed instead of Houston. Probably why they're resting guys tomorrow night.

 

[H.C.]

Denver probably wants us to be the 3 seed instead of Houston. Probably why they're resting guys tonight.

DW Stotts will figure out someway to fuck it up.

 

[brooklynballer]

DW Stotts will figure out someway to fuck it up.

What, you mean like starting CJ in his first game back?! That would be a totally Stotts thing to do.

 

[BonesJones]

What, you mean like starting CJ in his first game back?! That would be a totally Stotts thing to do.

Why shouldn't he...?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Jokic, Millsap and Murray being rested against the Blazers on Sunday. This should help us make a run at the #3 seed!

Looks like the game just got easier!

 

[brooklynballer]

Why shouldn't he...?

Personally, I would ease CJ back into the rotation for a few reasons: (1) His conditioning probably isn’t great as he hasn’t played in more than two weeks - he definitely won’t be in game shape; (2) I would try to limit his minutes to no more than 15-20. To limit the impact to the starting rotation it may be prudent to play him against the Nuggets second unit; and, (3) The starters have pretty good chemistry right now, and we don’t know how much CJ will be able to contribute so why mess with what’s working?

But that’s just me. What do you think Bones?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Personally, I would ease CJ back into the rotation for a few reasons: (1) His conditioning probably isn’t great as he hasn’t played in more than two weeks - he definitely won’t be in game shape; (2) I would try to limit his minutes to no more than 15-20. To limit the impact to the starting rotation it may be prudent to play him against the Nuggets second unit; and, (3) The starters have pretty good chemistry right now, and we don’t know how much CJ will be able to contribute so why mess with what’s working?

But that’s just me. What do you think Bones?

I dont mind that plan but, whether he starts or not what matters to me is to get him some run in and hopefully only need him for 20ish minutes.

 

[brooklynballer]

I dont mind that plan but, whether he starts or not what matters to me is to get him some run in and hopefully only need him for 20ish minutes.

Agree 100%. Hopefully we don’t have to run our starters into the ground to get the W . Even without Jokic, Millsap and Murray, the Nuggets will be tough because they’re so deep, especially at the guard and wing positions.