NBA PLAYOFFS 2021
Nuggets VS Trail Blazers
1st ROUND
Game 1: May 22nd
This is a series that I am extremely excited for. These teams matchup very well against each other and I really want to see players from both teams advance and win chips (Dame Dolla, Jokic, MELO), so I am expecting a great series. I think it means a lot more to the Blazers at this point in a lot of the players on that rosters’ careers. They have also been terrific this season when healthy, which they are. I believe they win the series and the game tonight. Take the Trail Blazers Money Line, over 226.5 total points, and Carmelo Anthony over 12.5 points.
Game 2: May 24th
Start Time: 10 pm EST
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
Where to Watch: TNT
3-0 on game 1. I have a great feeling about this series. I think Portland will dominate the whole time and possibly sweep the Nuggets. I think they are too deep and too determined to win this year, and are led by Lillard who is playing the best basketball of his career. I think the Nuggets are a great team but it isn’t their time yet, especially without Murray. I think the Blazers win this one and Lillard has another great game. I also think Jokic has a great game but won’t get enough help from his teammates to pull put a dub. Take the Trail Blazers Money Line, over 226.5 total points, and Damian Lillard over 29.5 points.
Game 3: May 27th
Start Time: 10:30 pm EST
Venue: Moda Center, Portland
Where to Watch: NBATV
This series is shaping up to be a good one. They are evenly matched teams, but without star point guard Jamal Murray, the Blazers definitely have an edge, especially since they have one of the best point guards in the league, do they basically always have a mismatch. Lillard is unstoppable and has played fantastic in the first two games putting up over 30 in both outings. I believe he continues that streak, but that the rest of the roster also chips in this game. It is the first home playoff game of the series for Portland, and I believe McCollum and Powell are going to step up and have big games. I also think Jokic is going to continue his fine play, but that it won’t be enough. Take the Trail Blazers -3.5, the under 226.5 total points, Jusuf Nurkic over 11.5 rebounds, and CJ McCollum over 22.5 points.
Game 5: June 1st
Start Time: 9 pm EST
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
Where to Watch: NBATV
I love the Blazers tonight. These teams have been trading games the whole series, but I think the Blazers will get better as the playoffs continue and their chemistry gets better. They are much more skilled and deeper than the Nuggets in my humble opinion, so I think it is a matter of containing Jokic and hitting their open shots. I could easily see this game coming down to the buzzer or going to OT. I think it will be close but the Blazers will ultimately get the win. Take the Trail Blazers +2, Norman Powell over 17.5 points, and Nikola Jokic under 1.5 made threes.
Game 6: June 3rd
Start Time: 8 pm EST
Venue: Moda Center, Portland
Where to Watch: TNT
If Damian Lillard plays anything like he played last game, the Blazers will win. He had little to no help from the rest of his team who shot abysmally in the 4th quarter and both overtimes. I believe they step up tonight and make up for their terrible performance in game 5. While I do think the Blazers will win, it is hard to imagine that the Nuggets who look so good with Jokic as the floor general will lose a playoff game by more than 5 points, especially considering how the whole team has played recently. So, with that being said, I like the Nuggets spread tonight. Take the Nuggets +5, over 227.5 total points, and Nikola Jokic over 32.5 points.