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Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Preview for key game

By Mathew Huff

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 22, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 22, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets will have perhaps their most important game of the year as they welcome the Portland Trail Blazers into the Pepsi Center.

The Denver Nuggets are riding high as they are on a five game win streak. They are hitting their stride at the correct time and will need to continue this momentum against the division rival, Portland Trail Blazers.

The good thing is, there is a slight chance the Blazers will rest their stars in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum as they already have their playoff spot locked up for later in the month. However, Denver still has to be cautious.

Remember the Memphis Grizzlies game? There was no reason the Nuggets should have lost that game with their talent, but they did anyway. The bad thing with this Denver squad, is, the same thing could repeat itself if Portland does rest their two star guards.

Nikola Jokic has been on a tear lately and the Blazers are going to be well aware of this fact. As a result, the role players are going to have to be ready to step up in this game, just in case the Blazers do commit more of their defensive focus to the Joker.

Guys like Mason Plumlee, Trey Lyles and Devin Harris. Devin Harris has been a great, steadying presence for the Nuggets in the past two games and will be vital for Denver’s post season hopes once again.

Plumlee has been solid as of late and Trey Lyles looks as if he has re-settled back into his role of being Paul Millsap’s back up at the power forward.

The Nuggets cannot get cocky against this high powered Blazers team, but if they play like they did against the Clippers, they should be in terrific shape.

Their playoff hopes ride on this game and the last one against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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