Playoffs 2021, Game 3: Denver Nuggets (1) @ Portland Trail Blazers (1) - 10:30PM

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[THE J0KER]

If the Nuggets win this game, we are bold favorites to win this series. But if we lose our chances actually are still good because under Malone Denver never lead after opening 3 games, so nothing new if we going to start to play seriously (and adjusted to the opponent) some playoff series since the game 4

So I'm really calm before this game.

[GeorgeSears]

Huge game. Nuggets win this one and all the pressure falls on Blazers. Nuggets have started fast in both games and have managed to hold onto the lead in the 2nd one. They need to start fast here. Blazers will probably look to get Nurkic more involved offensively. Nuggets will need to match the 3pt shooting.

[GeorgeSears]

MPJ with two terrible turnovers already. He needs to snap out of it. Blazers are just playing better defense so far and Nuggets look uncomfortable offensively.

[manchambo]

I just discovered I can’t watch the game. A playoff game. This is getting **** ridiculous.

[GeorgeSears]

Such a horrible end to the quarter. In one minute, the Blazers get 7 straight points to cut the lead to 5.

[THE J0KER]

Jokic-Porter-Gordon is arguably (much?) better big3 than Lillard-CJ-Powell but you can't see a clear difference in this series so far. Why? Because of Malone! Jokic+MPJ+AG played 44 minutes in the 1st half while Lillard+CJ+Powell 58 minutes so we have 34-9-5 vs 45-4-4.

We lead +5 on halftime thanks to much better 3pt% shooting (12-20 vs 5-17) but with such a difference, we should lead 10+ if playing time distribution is not this dumb.

[GeorgeSears]

MPJ is just off tonight. He completely rushed a layup where Jokic set him up perfectly.

[GeorgeSears]

"The Austin Rivers game", if Nuggets win the series. Incredibly clutch. Everyone played well.

[manchambo]

Jokic-Porter-Gordon is arguably (much?) better big3 than Lillard-CJ-Powell but you can't see a clear difference in this series so far. Why? Because of Malone! Jokic+MPJ+AG played 44 minutes in the 1st half while Lillard+CJ+Powell 58 minutes so we have 34-9-5 vs 45-4-4.

We lead +5 on halftime thanks to much better 3pt% shooting (12-20 vs 5-17) but with such a difference, we should lead 10+ if playing time distribution is not this dumb.

You are really a broken record. I like it when Denver wins playoff games. I like coaches who win playoff games.

[THE J0KER]

20-38 vs 14-45 domination in threes should be a routine win vs Portland (a team which much depending on 3pt shooting), not a big drama win. But a win is a win, and this win was huge! Jokic playing like NBA MVP once again but Austin Rivers playing like bubble-Murray in final quarter (4-5 for 3pt) and Facu with 11-8-8 near triple-double was factor-X of this win.

MPJ is just off tonight. He completely rushed a layup where Jokic set him up perfectly.

He scored 11 points in just 13 minutes in 1st half but in 2nd he is cooled out, which was not a problem tonight with Rivers doing in the final quarter what we expected from MPJ. But Porter has with a reason highest +/- today because all other Denver players on the court have offensively benefited from his presence because Portland's defensive strategy was very focused on stopping Porter.

Malone playing with fire limiting Jokic and Porter minutes, and I'm now not sure is good to see Barton comeback because he is a favorite Malone's excuse for limiting MPJ time, while Rivers playing so far in this series better than Barton ever played in a playoff.

[GeorgeSears]

20-38 vs 14-45 domination in threes should be a routine win vs Portland (a team which much depending on 3pt shooting), not a big drama win. But a win is a win, and this win was huge! Jokic playing like NBA MVP once again but Austin Rivers playing like bubble-Murray in 3rd quarter (4-5 for 3pt) and Facu with 11-8-8 near triple-double was factor-X of this win.

MPJ is just off tonight. He completely rushed a layup where Jokic set him up perfectly.

He scored 11 points in just 13 minutes in 1st half but in 2nd he is cooled out, which was not a problem tonight with Rivers doing in the final quarter what we expected from MPJ. But Porter has with a reason highest +/- today because all other Denver players on the court have offensively benefited from his presence because Portland's defensive strategy was very focused on stopping Porter.

Malone playing with fire limiting Jokic and Porter minutes, and I'm now not sure is good to see Barton comeback because he is a favorite Malone's excuse for limiting MPJ time, while Rivers playing so far in this series better than Barton ever played in a playoff.

With that kind of shooting discrepancy, Nuggs should've won by a lot more. However, turnovers were what kept Blazers in the game. They only had 7.

If they're only going to play an 8-man rotation, Jokic should just keep attacking Nurkic and get him into foul trouble. I felt the defense on Lillard was solid in the 2nd half when Gordon started guarding him. McCollum really cooled off in the 2nd after having a strong 1st half.

[NuggetsWY]

I understand why Malone likes Campazzo & Howard & Harrison. They all play with the attitude Malone described when he first got here. He said something like, "I don't need players that want to win. I need players that hate to lose." All three of these guys are playing with that attitude and I'm impressed.

I like seeing Campazzo shoot a little more. If a player doesn't shoot, the defense can clog the point. Last night's game didn't get many minutes for Howard or Harrison and I'm okay with that. But if we are going small, Portland is the team to try it on since they start three players 6'4" or so.

Basically Malone went with an 8 man rotation and it worked. Our defense wasn't great, but it was adequate. Our offense wasn't great but it was good enough. We took 27 FTs and that means hustling and moving on offense. We hit 53% from 3 and that's where we won the game in my opinion. Inside and outside --- scoring in one opens up the other and it goes either way.

Portland is relying on Lillard to win the games and he's scoring big time.
McCollum & Powell are helping with fairly consistent and decent offense.
Anthony has had two good games.
But just four players lets Denver focus on slowing them down and it is working just fine.

[TunaFish]

I understand why Malone likes Campazzo & Howard & Harrison. They all play with the attitude Malone described when he first got here. He said something like, "I don't need players that want to win. I need players that hate to lose." All three of these guys are playing with that attitude and I'm impressed.

I like seeing Campazzo shoot a little more. If a player doesn't shoot, the defense can clog the point. Last night's game didn't get many minutes for Howard or Harrison and I'm okay with that. But if we are going small, Portland is the team to try it on since they start three players 6'4" or so.

Basically Malone went with an 8 man rotation and it worked. Our defense wasn't great, but it was adequate. Our offense wasn't great but it was good enough. We took 27 FTs and that means hustling and moving on offense. We hit 53% from 3 and that's where we won the game in my opinion. Inside and outside --- scoring in one opens up the other and it goes either way.

Portland is relying on Lillard to win the games and he's scoring big time.
McCollum & Powell are helping with fairly consistent and decent offense.
Anthony has had two good games.
But just four players lets Denver focus on slowing them down and it is working just fine.

This is a surprise that the Nuggets are this good without Murray. Thanks be to Compazzo and Rivers who have (at least for now) saved the Nugget's season. They may not be allstars but they are solid pros. That Gordon trade has made a difference along with Millsap moving to the bench. They are better than the Blazers unless they lose focus but I doubt it. They should get to the second round.