Powell Implores the Blazers to Match the Nuggets’ Intensity

Norman Powell’s first postseason with the Portland Trail Blazers has gotten off to a rocky start. In Game 2, Powell recovered in the second half to finish with 15 points. Regardless of Powell’s individual turnaround, the Blazers’ team-wide performance resulted in a lopsided 128-109 loss to the Nuggets.

Outside of Nikola Jokic’s 38-point night, the Nuggets’ squad fielded five other players that reached double-digit point totals. In the margins, Denver committed fewer turnovers and played with more pace. With all those factors in mind, Powell explained that the Nuggets won the physical battle against the Blazers in Game 2. Powell’s comments were highlighted by NBC Sports Northwest’s Jamie Hudson.

“It’s not just on Dame or CJ. It’s on all the guys who are getting out there and playing to toughen up, make plays, make winning plays the way they were doing. They were physical, they were getting 50/50 balls, getting on the ground – that’s what we got to do.”

The Blazers and Nuggets meet again for Game 3 in the Moda Center on Thursday. You can read Hudson’s full story at NBC Sports Northwest.