Playoffs 2021, Game 5: Portland Trail Blazers (2) @ Denver Nuggets (2) - 9:00PM

ducler · Post #1 » by **ducler** » Tue Jun 1, 2021 8:34 pm

GeorgeSears · Post #2 » by **GeorgeSears** » Tue Jun 1, 2021 9:54 pm

MPJ is clearly the X-factor. He only took 3 shots in game 4, which was unacceptable.

Post #3 » by **THE J0KER** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 1:06 am

GeorgeSears wrote:MPJ is clearly the X-factor. He only took 3 shots in game 4, which was unacceptable.

In this Denver's playoff, Jokic is a superstar, Porter is a star and Gordon is a key defensive player. Everyone else can be an X-Factor.

One important thing about Porter is that he is the type of player who can't create opportunities for himself the way Jokic or Murray do, so the rest of the team must play for him. MPJ actually can do it... but if he is going to rush his offense that will damage his biggest weapon, a monster efficiency. Malone definitely should call more actions for Porter with the whole team involved.

GeorgeSears · Post #4 » by **GeorgeSears** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 1:17 am

I like the start so far, but Portland has also missed a bunch of good looks. Nuggets have to continue to crash the boards.

GeorgeSears · Post #5 » by **GeorgeSears** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 1:40 am

That first quarter went about as well as you could hope:
- up 13 points
- 1 turnover
- 7-13 from 3
- Porter 8 points
- Blazers only 2-7 from 3.

Now they have to just hold down the fort.

GeorgeSears · Post #6 » by **GeorgeSears** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 2:16 am

A great 3rd followed by an abysmal 2nd quarter. The Nuggets just looked so bad defensively, particularly in the PnR. I think the Blazers know they can dominate them using that.

skywalker33 · Post #7 » by **skywalker33** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:18 am

55pts by Dame and they still lose, gotta be disheartening...unless you're a Nuggets fan

Post #8 » by **THE J0KER** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:20 am

Epic revenge for that epic 4xOT loss from 2019!

Post #9 » by **Moonbeam** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:24 am

Classic game. Your guys stepped up big time! See you for Game 6.

skywalker33 · Post #10 » by **skywalker33** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:27 am

Hard fought VICTORY, Morris was epic, MPJ bounced back nicely....time to close this series out in POR and wait for PHX to put the lights out in Lakerland.

Anyone want to place odds that Barton's hammies STILL too sore to play game 6 ? That man has ZERO toughness !

GeorgeSears · Post #11 » by **GeorgeSears** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:28 am

This is it for the Nuggets. They've squandered every 3-2 lead they've ever had under Malone. They were up 3-2 against Spurs that went 7 games (and won). They were up 3-2 against Blazers that went 7 games (and lost).

It's time to make a statement and put their foot down and close this out in 6.

GeorgeSears · Post #12 » by **GeorgeSears** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:39 am

skywalker33 wrote:Hard fought VICTORY, Morris was epic, MPJ bounced back nicely....time to close this series out in POR and wait for PHX to put the lights out in Lakerland.

Anyone want to place odds that Barton's hammies STILL too sore to play game 6 ? That man has ZERO toughness !

I won't be surprised, he's missed 4 straight playoff series. I don't think he wants to be here tbh. I know Hamstring injuries are tricky, but it's been 6 weeks now and they've been hinting at him coming back. It's all up to him, but I doubt he'll risk it. I wont even be shocked if he decides not to go in the next series either.

manchambo · Post #13 » by **manchambo** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 6:34 am

skywalker33 wrote:Hard fought VICTORY, Morris was epic, MPJ bounced back nicely....time to close this series out in POR and wait for PHX to put the lights out in Lakerland.

Anyone want to place odds that Barton's hammies STILL too sore to play game 6 ? That man has ZERO toughness !

On Barton, that’s really what I’m starting to think. How many days can a guy be day to day and never play? That was the whole playoffs last season.

PDXKnight · Post #14 » by **PDXKnight** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 1:16 pm

GeorgeSears wrote:This is it for the Nuggets. They've squandered every 3-2 lead they've ever had under Malone. They were up 3-2 against Spurs that went 7 games (and won). They were up 3-2 against Blazers that went 7 games (and lost).

It's time to make a statement and put their foot down and close this out in 6.

i think this series goes to 7 honestly as both teams aren’t giving an inch but that game 7 should favor the nuggets by a bit. i love the blazers but if i was a betting man i’d bet on denver by 5 in a potential game 7.

Post #15 » by **The Rebel** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 1:37 pm

manchambo wrote:
skywalker33 wrote:Hard fought VICTORY, Morris was epic, MPJ bounced back nicely....time to close this series out in POR and wait for PHX to put the lights out in Lakerland.

Anyone want to place odds that Barton's hammies STILL too sore to play game 6 ? That man has ZERO toughness !

On Barton, that’s really what I’m starting to think. How many days can a guy be day to day and never play? That was the whole playoffs last season.

Up until last night I thought it was the training staff being extra cautious after Murray. Then they showed Malone talking about it before the game on Altitude last night, and the way Malone said something like it isn't that Barton doesn't want to play, he does but he is not cleared by training staff made me think that he doesn't want to play. Why say that if Barton wanting to play wasn't even a question?

The last time we saw Barton in the playoffs he was booed off the court, and I find it funny that for the 2nd year in a row he is fully cleared for practice and 5 on 5 for at least 2 weeks and yet he doesn't play. I hope he is gone this summer regardless of what else happens in these playoffs. I would rather run the backcourt with G leaguers who you know are going to show up and do everything they can to help you win.

Richard Miller · Post #16 » by **Richard Miller** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 2:43 pm

The Rebel wrote:Up until last night I thought it was the training staff being extra cautious after Murray. Then they showed Malone talking about it before the game on Altitude last night, and the way Malone said something like it isn't that Barton doesn't want to play, he does but he is not cleared by training staff made me think that he doesn't want to play. Why say that if Barton wanting to play wasn't even a question?

Imo it meant that if it were up to Barton, he'd play immediately, but the training staff should clear him and nothing they can do until such time comes. Also watching Barton's reactions when he was on camera, he seemed pretty hyped up, and besides, it's in his best interest to play and play well since it's his last contract year.

Maf · Post #17 » by **Maf** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:19 pm

Incredible win given the fact Portland's players shoot 100% FG when "guarded" by Rivers.

skywalker33 · Post #18 » by **skywalker33** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:26 pm

Richard Miller wrote:
The Rebel wrote:Up until last night I thought it was the training staff being extra cautious after Murray. Then they showed Malone talking about it before the game on Altitude last night, and the way Malone said something like it isn't that Barton doesn't want to play, he does but he is not cleared by training staff made me think that he doesn't want to play. Why say that if Barton wanting to play wasn't even a question?

Imo it meant that if it were up to Barton, he'd play immediately, but the training staff should clear him and nothing they can do until such time comes. Also watching Barton's reactions when he was on camera, he seemed pretty hyped up, and besides, it's in his best interest to play and play well since it's his last contract year.

Well, he doesn't have that worry, he has a PO next year at $14M. It irks me that he puts something out on social media that he'll be back soon to help the team and it continues he still can't play, just teasing us. He did the same thing LAST year as well. Again, just as last year, we're in the dark about the TRUE status of his availability.

Post #19 » by **The Rebel** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 4:51 pm

Richard Miller wrote:
The Rebel wrote:Up until last night I thought it was the training staff being extra cautious after Murray. Then they showed Malone talking about it before the game on Altitude last night, and the way Malone said something like it isn't that Barton doesn't want to play, he does but he is not cleared by training staff made me think that he doesn't want to play. Why say that if Barton wanting to play wasn't even a question?

Imo it meant that if it were up to Barton, he'd play immediately, but the training staff should clear him and nothing they can do until such time comes. Also watching Barton's reactions when he was on camera, he seemed pretty hyped up, and besides, it's in his best interest to play and play well since it's his last contract year.

I know what he meant, but why say that if there is not a real question about it? Outside of this board I had not heard or seen anybody questioning whether Barton wanted to play, so unless Malone was commenting to SkyWalker than why say anything like that?

Post #20 » by **NuggetsWY** » Wed Jun 2, 2021 11:48 pm

I am not a big fan of Barton - as a Nuggets' starter.
I would love to see him as our #1 bench player.

I also believe that Will Barton loves the spotlight and if he were ready and able to play and if the team doctor did not hold him out of play, he would be playing --- and looking forward to taking some big shots at crucial times.

But that's just my opinion and I've been wrong before.