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Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail-Blazers: Playoffs?!

By Blake Holmes

Dec 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) shoots the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-120. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) shoots the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-120. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

There are multiple key factors that could play into the Nuggets’ possible success or failure in Portland.

First, there aren’t many back-courts in the NBA quite like the duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. As Denver comes closer to a match-up with them, this means that they need a guard to step up to contain them. That guard, as he has at many times this season, needs to be Gary Harris.

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Harris is one of the best defenders on the entire team, and he needs to step up and bring his A-game for the Blazers. It’s not only his defense, but a leadership role that he needs to bring to the table to win this game.

The next key that this team needs to have is for Nikola Jokic to do what Nikola Jokic can do. When he plays well, the Nuggets look unstoppable this season. When he doesn’t play well, however, the Nuggets can look like one of the worst teams in the league. The big part of the success that this squad could have in Portland falls on the shoulders of the Joker.

Finally, the last thing that the Nuggets must do in order to claim back their playoff spot is find their motivation. The playoffs should be enough, but let’s say that this young squad needs more things to build on. How about losing by 25 to the struggling New Orleans Pelicans, without DeMarcus Cousins, on your own floor, to lose your playoff spot? How about the Trail-Blazers trolling Denver on Twitter after said loss?

Everything points towards Denver to win this game, it’s just up to them to grasp it.

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