Blazers vs. Nuggets Game 2 Prediction
The first round of the NBA playoff continues with the second game of TNT’s double header, as the Nuggets host the Trail Blazers at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Game Snapshot
523 Portland Trail Blazers (+1.5) at 524 Denver Nuggets (-1.5); o/u 227
10:00 p.m. ET, Monday, May 24, 2021
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
TV: TNT
Portland Trail Blazers DFS Notes
Damian Lillard played 40 minutes in Saturday’s Game 1 win over the Nuggets, finishing with 34 points (10-of-25 FGs, 9-of-9 FTs), two rebounds, 13 assists and five 3-pointers. Lillard was pestered by Facundo Campazzo for much of Saturday’s series opener, but he and the Blazers made a key adjustment during the third quarter. Portland made sure to run Campazzo through more ball screens than they did in the first half, and the result was either a switch or extra space that Lillard could exploit. Also worth noting on his stat line is the fact that he had just two turnovers on the night. C.J. McCollum added 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, one block and three 3-pointers in 36 minutes, as Portland had too much firepower on the perimeter for the Nuggets. They’ll look to take a 2-0 series lead Monday night.
Denver Nuggets DFS Notes
Nikola Jokic accounted for 34 points (14-of-27 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 16 rebounds, one assist and three 3-pointers in 35 minutes during Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Blazers. Jokic was able to show many of the reasons why he’s considered to be the favorite to win MVP honors this season. Portland didn’t have an answer for him, no matter where the Joker looked to get his shots. But they did manage to limit his impact as a playmaker, with Jokic dishing out just one assist on the night. This was the first game this season in which Jokic finished with one assist, the fewest that he’s had in a game since January 2, 2020 vs. the Pacers (zero assists). Michael Porter Jr. (25/9/0/0/2 with one 3-pointer) joined Jokic as Nuggets with at least 20 points, but he did so while shooting 1-of-10 from beyond the arc. Given their lack of perimeter firepower, Denver will need even more from its top two scoring options in order to win this series.
Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets Playoffs Prediction
The Trail Blazers are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games versus the Nuggets, are 4-0 against the number in their last four games overall and are 4-0 at the betting window in their last four road games. On the other side, the Nuggets are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games coming off a loss and are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous contest.
NBA PLAYOFFS PREDICTION: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS +1.5