Three weeks ago, hosting Portland for two games seemed like sure wins for the Denver Nuggets. But the Trail Blazers’ recent surge has made this week more difficult for the 2023 NBA champions.
Portland has won 10 of its last 12 games since Jan. 18 and has moved closer to 10th place in the Western Conference coming into Monday night’s game. It is the first of two straight games in Denver, with the teams playing Wednesday night, too.
The Blazers were 13-28 after losing five games in a row but have turned things around quickly. They won four straight, lost to Oklahoma City, and then reeled off six straight wins, which included two against Phoenix as well as victories over Milwaukee and Sacramento.
The streak ended in Minnesota on Saturday night, and now they will face a team they beat on a buzzer-beating layup by Anfernee Simons on Dec. 19.
Simons’ 18.5 points per game leads a balanced scoring attack for Portland, which has seven players averaging double figures. Shaedon Sharpe (17.3), Jerami Grant (14.7), Deandre Ayton and Deni Avdija (both 14.5), Scoot Henderson (12.5) and Toumani Camara (10.1) are also scoring in double figures.
Robert Williams III, who is averaging 5.7 points and 5.9 rebounds, didn’t play in the second half of Saturday night’s game with a knee injury. His status for Monday has not been announced.
“I think he just came down kind of funny,” coach Chauncey Billups told reporters. “I’m not sure what the diagnosis is and whatnot. But we just felt like playing him anymore wouldn’t be healthy.”
Denver is playing better since that loss to the Blazers, going 20-8 to move into the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference. The Nuggets have won a season-high six in a row despite not having Russell Westbrook (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (right knee sprain) for the last four games. Jamal Murray (left knee inflammation), Aaron Gordon (right calf management) and Michael Porter Jr. have also missed a game during the streak.
Westbrook and Watson will not play Monday and Porter, who sat out Saturday night’s win at Phoenix with hamstring tightness, is a game-time decision.
“We started off the season 11-10, and since then, we are (23-9),” coach Michael Malone said. “We’ve been playing a lot better basketball and a lot more consistent basketball. Obviously, we are far from being where we want to be, but throughout the season, guys have shown what they are capable of.”
Nikola Jokic has played all six games of the streak and has been dominant. He has recorded three triple-doubles and three double-doubles, and Denver is 14-3 in the last 17 games he has played.
Jokic is third in the NBA in scoring (29.6 points), second in assists (10.3) and tied for third in rebounds (12.7), leading the Nuggets in each of those categories. He is also averaging 1.8 steals, which is tied for fourth in the league.
Murray (20.4 points), Porter (19.0) and Christian Braun (14.7) are next in scoring for Denver.
