Looking Ahead To The Golden State Warriors’ First Round Playoff Matchup

The Perils Of Portland

The Portland Trail Blazers are likely going to keep the Denver Nuggets at bay and hold the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Portland, like Denver, has a massive center who could make life difficult for the Warriors.

Jusuf Nurkic actually began the season as a Nugget, but he was traded along with a first round pick to the Blazers in exchange for Mason Plumlee and a second rounder. That deal is starting to look like a steal based on what Nurkic is doing right now.

Nurkic is averaging 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. Those are absolutely monster numbers. Jokic is the better shooter and passer, but Nurkic is even bigger and more physical.

Unfortunately, Nurkic is out for at least two weeks after fracturing his fibula. That will cover the rest of Portland’s regular season, and there’s no telling if Nurkic will be ready for the postseason if the Blazers can hold onto the eighth seed.

Luckily, the Blazers have something the Nuggets do not have–more stars. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are both star guards, and either of them are capable of combusting in flames and scoring a ton of points, as evidenced by Lillard averaging 26.7 points per game and McCollum putting up 23.2 points per contest.