Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction: The Nuggets are tough at home

NBA is on and this has been a stellar window where we have some teams pick up their game while others slack. The Boston Celtics got off to the best start but fatigue and injuries are catching up, but such is the lore of the NBA. Anyway, in this Regular Season game, the Denver Nuggets are going to take on the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Nuggets come into this game after defeating the Grizzlies 105:91 as Aaron Gordon scooped up 24 points. The Nuggets have won five out of their last six games and although Nikola Jokic has carried the major load, the return of Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon’s penchant for big nights every now and then, and the inclusions of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown has added to the zip. They have shot the highest percentage and although their defense has been sub-par, the Nuggets’ methodical style can serve them well in the Playoffs. The return of Michael Porter Jr will bolster the defense but the Nuggets have some holes to fill even after a strong 19 wins and 11 losses effort.

The Trail Blazers come into the affair after losing 98:101 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in another close loss against Oklahoma. These close losses must be biting but the team has maintained a respectable 17 wins and 15 losses record. The Trail Blazers lost their way without Damian Lillard in the middle but have been playing stellar basketball since his return. Having two additional 20+ points scorers in Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons is a big boost, but the team needs to be better at closing out games. One big problem for the Trail Blazers has been the lack of bench depth and when there are injuries, they are exposed. They do need Gary Payton II to bolster their flailing defense. Can Portland become a better road team as the season progresses?

• Nuggets: OUT: Collin Gillespie. QUESTIONABLE: Jamal Murray. PROBABLE: Jeff Green;
• Trail Blazers: OUT: Gary Payton II, Nasir Little. DOUBTFUL: Justise Winslow. PROBABLE: Damian Lillard, Josh Hart, Jusuf Nurkic, Drew Eubanks.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Nikola Jokic(29-35 Points), Damian Lillard(28-34 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Nikola Jokic(11-15 Rebounds), Josh Hart(8-10 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Nikola Jokic(9-11 Assists), Damian Lillard(8-10 Assists).

The last few losses have exposed Trail Blazers’ vulnerabilities and they keep the door open till late. The Nuggets are experts at exposing these holes further and with Nikola Jokic, they will have advantages in multiple areas. Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Jerami Grant are all capable of playing iso ball which can penetrate the oft-fragile Nuggets' defense. Thus, this can be a high-scoring game. I believe this will be a close battle with Jokic closing it out. I predict a scoreline of 124:120 in favor of Denver.