Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets: 5 storylines to keep tabs on

Bench players’ impact

Throughout this season, the Blazers’ bench averaged 36 points per game (18th) and the Nuggets bench averaged 37.7 points per game (13th), which is not a major difference at all.

Despite the closeness in numbers, the success of both of these teams will be heavily dependent on their second units throughout this series. During the regular season, the Blazers’ second unit had a net rating of -1.7 (23rd) while the Nuggets’ bench tallied a 1.4 (7th) net rating. These numbers are in the opposite ends of the spectrum, which automatically spells trouble for the Blazers.

Moreover, the Blazers bench is currently 10th in net rating (-2.1), while the Nuggets bench is 7th (0.4) in net rating through the first round of the playoffs.

There are three players from the Nuggets that stuck out to me: Torrey Craig, Malik Beasley, and Monte Morris.

In the four regular season meetings between the two teams, all three performed well against the Blazers, either scoring higher than their season averages, shooting a higher field goal percentage, or averaging more steals per game.

I have watched these three play, and regardless of their lack of experience they know how to leave their imprint in a game, whether it is through sheer hustle, attacking the rim, or making shots.

Now on the other hand, two Blazers players who stuck out to me are: Rodney Hood and Evan Turner.

Although Turner’s numbers are not particularly impressive overall or against Denver during the regular season, he does possess ample playoff experience in all of his eight seasons played in the NBA, which has to count for something. He did manage to have his worst postseason performance last series, but that does not mean he can turn it around against a young Nuggets team that does not have much playoff experience. His playmaking abilities will be needed more than ever against Denver.

Rodney Hood on the other hand, is a different story. In four meetings against Denver this year, he averaged 13.5 points, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 48.6 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 93.3 FT%, in 28.8 minutes per game. It’s safe to say that Hood will need to be the offensive boost off the bench throughout this series. While these may not be eye-popping stats, he did amass better scoring and steals averages than his regular season numbers, which is at the very least a positive for the Blazers.

All in all, the Nuggets’ second unit clearly wins this matchup because the Blazers do not have enough talent off the bench.