Denver Nuggets at Blazers: Who must step up?

The Denver Nuggets will look to extend their win streak as they battle the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Denver Nuggets are once again, back on track after a bit of a slump.

They have defeated the LeBron James led Los Angeles Lakers by 32 points, a franchise record against L.A., and will look to carry their momentum over to Portland. The Trail Blazers are no pushovers as they sit in fifth place in the Western Conference and are a key division rival.

So, with all of this in mind, which player on the Nuggets must step up in this particular game? That would be none other than Torrey Craig.

Denver Nuggets

Craig is going to have his hands full as Gary Harris continues to rehab from injury. He has done a decent job filling in for Harris at the two guard spot, but this game will be his ultimate test.

He will be matched up with star, CJ McCollum, who is capable of putting up 20 a night (averaging 20.8 points per game currently.)

For Torrey Craig, he has had a bit of an inconsistent season to say the least. He is averaging only 3.7 points per game while shooting only 38.1% from the field along with an offensive rating of a putrid 97.

He does possess a defensive rating of 106 which is an improvement on last year’s 112 rating, but Craig  is only averaging 0.4 steals and blocks per game, which is something we are not accustomed to seeing from a lock down defender.

However, if Torrey can limit McCollum’s production even a little bit, then the Denver Nuggets will be in business. We already know that point guard, Damian Lillard, will get his numbers, but if CJ can get thrown off track for even just a minute due to Torrey Craig’s defense, then Craig will have assisted the team in a huge way.

It will be vital for Torrey Craig to have a breakout defensive performance.