The Portland Trail Blazers travel to Denver to face the playoff-bound Nuggets in a 2:00 p.m. Pacific game televised locally on CSNNW.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your preview. Because unless something really weird happens the Blazers are going to get crushed. The Nuggets have lost 3 out of their last 23 games. Their home record is (excuse me?) 36-3. The last time the Blazers won in Denver the Rocky Mountains were just tectonic plates waiting to get pushed together. Plus the Nuggets are embroiled in a three-way war with the Clippers and Grizzlies for the 3rd-5th seeds in the West so this game means a whole lot to them.
The Nuggets score more points in the key than anyone else in the league. The Blazers don't defend the paint as much as invite opponents to express themselves with it. (a.k.a. the Bob Ross Defense)
The Blazers can't handle point guards or big men. The Nuggets have a million of each.
The Nuggets are without small forward scorer Danilo Gallinari but the Blazers are playing without half their starting lineup and the rest of their starters are sore, dead tired, or both.
And Portland didn't draft Kenneth Faried. Would that be barbecue or sour cream and onion on your shoulder?
Discuss the matchup here if you wish, then walk into this game prepared to grimace at the slaughter. Applaud if the Blazers keep it anywhere close. Go out and buy a lottery ticket immediately if the Blazers win, cuz the universe is bent your way.
Denver Stiffs might sweat over this game.
Your Jersey Contest Form for this game. I cannot believe I missed the chance to set an over/under on Denver's points in the paint in this game to 79.5. Stupid Dave! Stupid!
Portland Trail Blazers tickets
--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)