4 things the Portland Trail Blazers need to do better to win the series

PORTLAND, OR - MAY 5: Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers high fives CJ McCollum (3) after earning a trip to the free throw line against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Sunday, May 5, 2019. The Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers game four of their second round NBA playoff series at the Moda Center in Portland. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

4. Limit the turnovers and fouls

During the 2018-19 season, the Blazers averaged 13.8 turnovers and 20.4 personal fouls per game. So far in this series against the Nuggets, the Blazers have averaged 14.3 turnovers and 24.3 personal fouls per game.

The turnovers aren’t too eye-opening, but Denver is only turning it over 13.3 times per game this series, winning the possession battle. The other problem with the turnovers is the Nuggets are scoring 17.0 points off turnovers per game. They’re making the Blazers pay for their mistakes, while Portland is forcing fewer turnovers and only scoring 11.3 points per game off turnovers this series.

They need to work on making smarter passes and being strong with the ball when the defense puts the pressure on. Fewer turnovers equal fewer possessions for the Nuggets, and that means fewer chances to score.

What is eye-opening is the number of personal fouls being called on the Blazers. They are allowing the Nuggets to get to the free throw line 26.3 times per game this series. Four guys are basically averaging three fouls a game for Portland — Zach Collins (4.3 per game), Maurice Harkless (3.8), Enes Kanter (3.0) and Al-Farouq Aminu (2.8).

All four guys are vital to the Blazers’ interior presence on both ends of the floor. They can’t be in foul trouble because they need to be able to guard Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap tough all game. The entire team has to be more disciplined on both ends of the court. Losing the turnover battle and the foul game is a simple way to lose in the playoffs.