The Denver Nuggets are riding high with the league’s longest active winning streak at seven games, which also marks their best run of the season. Denver aims to extend this streak when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in their final game before the All-Star break.
This matchup is the second of a two-game set between the teams, with Denver dominating the Trail Blazers 146-117 on Monday. The Nuggets recorded season highs in both points (146) and field goal percentage (65.9). Nikola Jokic led the charge with 40 points on 15-of-22 shooting, while Christian Braun added 26 points on 12-of-14 shooting, excelling at freelancing and cutting to the hoop for easy baskets.
Denver coach Michael Malone is impressed with the team’s offensive flow, as Monday’s output marked the third time during the winning streak that the Nuggets scored 137 or more points. The availability of forward Michael Porter Jr. remains uncertain due to a left hamstring injury. He has missed the last two games after averaging 35 points over a three-game span. Russell Westbrook will miss his seventh straight game with his own left hamstring injury.
Portland, on the other hand, has dropped the first two games of a three-game road trip after winning 10 of its previous 11 games. The Trail Blazers lost 114-98 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, followed by the blowout loss to the Nuggets.
Portland’s top scorers in Denver were reserves Dalano Banton (22 points) and rookie big man Donovan Clingan (career-best 21 points on 8-of-8 shooting in just 21 minutes). Clingan’s performance marked his first double-digit output since Jan. 9. With starter Deandre Ayton out due to a left calf strain and Robert Williams III (knee) also ruled out, Clingan is expected to see significant action on Wednesday. Scoot Henderson, who sprained his right ankle on Monday, will also sit out, and Jerami Grant (right knee) is questionable.
The Nuggets have won eight of the past nine meetings with the Trail Blazers, with Portland’s lone win coming on Dec. 19 when Anfernee Simons scored 28 points, including the game-winning layup as time expired in a 126-124 home victory. As both teams face off, Denver looks to continue their winning streak, while Portland aims to bounce back despite their injury woes.
