NBA Playoffs: 3 potential x-factors in the Western Conference

Potential x-factor in the NBA Playoffs: Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

It actually shouldn’t be surprising to see Michael Porter Jr. on this list. He’s been a huge factor on the offensive end for the Denver Nuggets this season and ever since the injury to Jamal Murray, which will cost him the remainder of the year, Porter’s role for this team hasn’t been as important as it is at the moment.

On the season, Porter is averaging 19 points and seven rebounds per game on 54 percent shooting from the field overall and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range. If the Nuggets are going to make a deep run in the postseason and continue to the momentum that they’ve built as the hottest team in the NBA since the trade deadline, they’re going to need a huge performance and production from Porter throughout the playoffs.

He’s going to have to be consistent on both ends of the floor and will need to be the team’s second option during their playoff run this season. Even though he showed flashes of brilliance last postseason, he wasn’t exactly a player that they could lean on consistency. That is going to have to change this year.