The one match up everyone will have their eyes on in this Portland vs Denver game is Nikola Jokic matching up with Jusuf Nurkic.
Nikola Jokic vs Jusuf Nurkic. I think it is safe to say many of us Denver Nuggets fans have been waiting for a re match of this contest for a while now after Nurkic won round one against the Nuggets last year after he was traded.
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Nurkic got the better of Jokic the first time, but that still doesn’t take away from the fact that Jokic is far more superior and no where near as overrated as Jusuf is, and yes I did say Nurkic is overrated.
Jokic is on a hot streak coming into this game as he is coming off week which saw him win the NBA’s Player of the Week honors. Nurkic on the other hand, has started the year off very inconsistent.
Part of this may have something to do him getting back into rhythm after the gruesome injury he suffered at the end of last season. However, the one advantage he will have over Jokic is his physicality. Nurkic is no where near as refined as a player as Jokic and doesn’t have the finesse like the Joker, but he can bully his way into the paint which could cause some trouble.
However, Jokic has been very improved as a defender this season, so Nurkic needs to watch out. If Jokic can stretch the defense with his jump shot and pull Nurkic away from the rim, then it could be a very long night for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jokic could find other ways to be effective in this match up rather than be a scorer, so do not be surprised if he has a night where he racks up the assists and rebounds.
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This match up is one many Nuggets have been waiting for since last year.