Game 54 and Game 55 : Portland Trail Blazers (23-30) @ Denver Nuggets (34-19)

[THE J0KER]

Before the All-Star break, Denver will host twice Portland's young rebuilding team which against all odds has had great results lately (10-2 in the last 12 games).

[skywalker33]

Looking strong in the 2nd half, up by 20pts. Joker going for 40 so far, still the 4th qtr to go. CB shooting efficiently, has 16pts, Strawther & Murray supporting the cause, GO NUGGETS !

[skywalker33]

CB is turning into a marksman, scored 26pts while shooting 85%. And I can't NOT mention Zeke put up 11pts off the bench, don't give up on him yet.

And anyone else notice lately, with our injuries, other players have been given some PT to develop. Strawther shot has been dropping, Zeke's game, while not worth $8M is starting to put something in the box score sheet, even Pickett has shown up at times...kinda nice to see some light somewhere in that tunnel.

[TunaFish]

Pickett had a great game and looks like a rotation level point guard. Didn't see that coming.

[THE J0KER]

Two days ago we found the perfect formula for how to play against Portland's young team, so I guess Malone is today ready for some big changes

[skywalker33]

And Murray looks like he's ready to go for 70+ tonight, Blue Arrow returns

[THE J0KER]

Jokic has 7 assists already after 7 minutes, so I expected his 2nd (or 3rd?) historic "first-half triple-double"... but no more assists from him, he is 13-11-7 on halftime

Hope at least Murray will not miss the opportunity for a 50+ game after 30p on halftime.

[skywalker33]

3 pts off the bench, not exactly a good sign. And yet again, Zeke Nnaji allows AG to get some more rest. He needs to get better at rebounding, CB has him doubled up with 8 to 4. Still, like the effort he's providing given our injuries.

[THE J0KER]

Murray 3 times have 50+ games (including playoff), but all three times it was exactly 50 points. Tonight we will see his career high.

[THE J0KER]

Jokic 25-15-10
Braun 20-10-5
Nnaji 15-5
Strawther 10-5
Murray 55-5-5

Unfortunately, we are one single rebound away from a perfect night for our starters

[skywalker33]

What's been a positive development, between Murray's renewed vigor as well as the sharpshooting of MPJ, it's great to be able to gain confidence that Jokic doesn't have to ALWAYS carry the scoring load to a win. And there appears the potential of bench scoring (well, not obvious tonight) when AG, MPJ and RW return sending Strawther, Nnaji back to the bench.

[TunaFish]

Murray seems to play outstanding after getting pissed off.

[TunaFish]

What's been a positive development, between Murray's renewed vigor as well as the sharpshooting of MPJ, it's great to be able to gain confidence that Jokic doesn't have to ALWAYS carry the scoring load to a win. And there appears the potential of bench scoring (well, not obvious tonight) when AG, MPJ and RW return sending Strawther, Nnaji back to the bench.

Wow, I never thought we would be talking about sending Nnaji back to the bench (from the starting unit).

I think we have a championship level team here.

[skywalker33]

What's been a positive development, between Murray's renewed vigor as well as the sharpshooting of MPJ, it's great to be able to gain confidence that Jokic doesn't have to ALWAYS carry the scoring load to a win. And there appears the potential of bench scoring (well, not obvious tonight) when AG, MPJ and RW return sending Strawther, Nnaji back to the bench.

Wow, I never thought we would be talking about sending Nnaji back to the bench (from the starting unit).

I think we have a championship level team here.

Don't know if that's in jest, but you may be on to something. Nnaji playing with Jokic has really seemed to improve (doesn't everyone) so if he can play more games like last night, moving AG to strengthen the bench may be the best idea.