Portland Trailblazers vs Denver Nuggets: Time to Make a Statement

Nov 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets are back at home after their 6-game road trip. The Portland Trailblazers come to the Pepsi Center for game three of four on the season.

The Denver Nuggets disappointingly ended their road trip with a record of 2-4. The road trip consisted of some of the league’s teams with the worst record.

Now the Nuggets are taking on their divisional rival, the Portland Trailblazers. Portland is currently the 8th seed in the Western Conference. They also have won the first two games against the Nuggets this season.

All the Nuggets’ players are fully healthy tonight, which marks the first time in a long time that every player is available.

Gary Harris is arguably one of the most important pieces that the Nuggets have back. He is the Nuggets’ best perimeter defender and also provides some valuable outside shooting.

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The starting lineup that Mike Malone decides to start tonight will be interesting to watch. How he disperses the minutes this game will be important as well. Jamal Murray has been playing well, but with Harris and Will Barton both playing, it could cut into his minutes.

Damian Lillard is a player that the Nuggets need to keep their eye on. He burned the Nuggets in their first two match-ups, scoring 32 and 37 points in those games. With Harris back, they hope to limit his production on offense.

Maybe the Nuggets should take a page out of Russel Westbrook’s book and keep the ball out of Lillard’s hands:

Russell Westbrook savagely kicks ball away just as Damian Lillard reaches for it https://t.co/7MgoCOgs87 https://t.co/OeyHvbyUH0

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) December 14, 2016

The Nuggets need to make a statement in this game before the season slides to the point of no-return. The playoffs look like a long shot for the Nuggets at this point. The Nuggets need a pick-me-up game, so a home-win against a division rival would be huge.

The Nuggets have had a flux of starting lineups, which might be hurting their consistency. Hopefully the players can stay healthy and put together a solid game.

Let’s see if the Nuggets can put together four efficient quarters and get the win at The Pepsi Center.

What do you think of the Nuggets’ season so far? Is it a bust or is this just growing pains from our young players? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!