Nugg Love
Fansided

3 things to watch as the Denver Nuggets host the Blazers

By Chris Bolin

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 13: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2019 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 13: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2019 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the race for the No. 2 seed as tight as ever, the first of a home-and-home with Portland has big implications for the Denver Nuggets. Here are 3 things to watch.

After an embarrassing loss to the Warriors — join the club — The Denver Nuggets righted the ship Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs.

They looked like a completely different team — though the Spurs haven’t exactly been dominant away from home this season.

But a win is a win, especially this time of year. Denver sits just 1.5 games up on the Rockets for the No. 3 seed and just two up on Portland for the fourth seed.

Ideally, I think the Nuggets would like to see the Blazers to snag the third seed — setting up a better matchup in the second round than Houston.

But, this isn’t the time to try to manufacture matchups. Denver has a home-and-home against Portland. And two wins would go a long way in securing the second seed.

Here are 3 things to watch.

Will the Nuggets show up to play?

Denver has been really hit-or-miss lately. Really hit-or-miss.

The Nuggets have looked great in wins over the Spurs and Thunder — but have looked just as bad in losses to the Wizards and Warriors.

So, which Nuggets team will we see against the Blazers? Hopefully the latter.

But a lot of it will depend on Jamal Murray. Speaking of which.

How will Jamal Murray play?

As streaky as the Nuggets have been lately, Murray has been all season. But also lately.

In Denver’s two biggest wins over the past week, the Blue Arrow has looked great. He put up 14 points and 11 rebounds against the Spurs after putting up 27 points and nine assists against the Thunder.

And while his lows haven’t been as bad lately as they were earlier in the season — but 12 points against the Wizards is nothing to write home about.

How big of a role will home-court advantage play?

The Nuggets have been lights out at home this season — there hasn’t been any question about that.

Denver is 32-7 at Pepsi Center, behind only Milwaukee for the best home record in the NBA. But a loss to Washington last week didn’t leave the best taste in our mouths.

And while it was likely a lapse of focus and a blip on the radar, it can’t be overlooked.

Related Story. How will Michael Malone fare come playoff time. light

The Blazers 20-19 road record isn’t exactly the best, it’s a lot better than most — and exactly the same as the Nuggets.

Home/Nuggets News