Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets prediction for Friday’s game 3 of the NBA playoffs at Moda Center in Portland. The Blazers host the Nuggets in game three of the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoff games. Follow on for our free prediction and betting tips.
Portland Trail Blazers need to improve to keep their advantage
The Blazers will feel satisfied with their ability to clinch a win from their first two games in Detroit. That win means that portland broke Denver’s home-court advantage and if they can find the form they had in game one, we can see the Blazers opening a two-game lead after four games. But coach Terry Stotts needs to address some issues from game two.
Denver made the game very physical and the Blazers couldn’t cope with it. Despite scoring 16 three points in the game, Portland allowed their opponents 58 two-point shots of which 34 were converted. The Blazers had 40 attempts. Coach Stotts’ players couldn’t stop Denver’s great ball rotation, which resulted in the home side having 29 assists in the game. All these weaknesses must be improved in game three.
Denver Nuggets stepping up their aggressivity
The Denver Nuggets took the court on Tuesday with one intention, fight to win. Nikola Jokic was the best scorer of his team in the match, as his teammates’ aggressiveness was key to tie the series with the Blazers 1-1. Early on, Denver didn’t have the answers for Damian Lillard’s 32 points in the first half. Lillard had eight three points in the first half.
In the second half, Aaron Gordon was deployed by coach Stotts to guard Lillard. The 6 foot 9 Nuggets player did a great job against the 6-2 Lillard who scored just ten points in the second half. It was a tense game between these two but Denver knew how to close the match with great individual defensive displays something they will need in Portland as well.
Key Points
Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
With the second game won, the Nuggets seem to have found the defensive tactic to stop Portland’s main threat, Damian Lillard. Portland are one of the best teams offensively and they have to find other options.
Nikola Jokic is back to his best and if he continues to play as he did in game two, Denver can win at least one game in Portland. Defense is what it’s all about from now on and Denver look to have found their momentum.
We think the match will be decided by how Denver limits Lillard’s scoring and they found it in the second half of game two. Lillard in this case may have to limit his contribution to engaging his teammates in the game. Thus we will back Lillard to score under 33. 5 points
Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Betting Tips
Damian Lillard to score under 33.5 points 1.76 at bet365
Over 116.5 total first-half points 1.90 at bet365