Denver Nuggets: 3 crucial goals for their playoff run

Denver Nuggets playoff goals No. 2: Keep Nikola Jokic free

The Trail Blazers had the key to unlocking the Nuggets offense in the first game of the series. They knew that if they stopped Nikola Jokic then they would be able to keep the Nuggets in check. The MVP candidate only had a single assist and the Nuggets lost.

In the second game, he had five assists and the Nuggets looked a lot better. In the third game, Jokic again had five assists and the Nuggets won again. Then in the fourth game, the Trail Blazers only allowed Jokic a single assist again and again the Nuggets lost.

A big part of this is the play of Michael Porter Jr. In the two losses, Porter has shot the ball from the field at 13-of-24 or 54.2 percent. From deep he has gone 2-of-13 or 15.4 percent. If Porter is not a good option from deep, this hamstrings Jokic’s ability to be effective.

In wins, Porter is shooting at a much more efficient level. He is 10-of-24 from the floor which is 41.2 percent. However, from deep he is 6-of-11 which is 54.5 percent. His floor spacing is crucial for taking defenders away from Jokic and thus enabling him to create more for others.