Grades: Blazers step up, Nuggets step back in Game 4

“The are no silver linings when you get your ass kicked in a playoff game.”

– Michael Malone

The Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t afford to come out flat Saturday afternoon, and the Denver Nuggets had a little room to breathe. Both teams played accordingly in Game 4. Head Coach Terry Stotts moved Jusuf Nurkić back into the starting lineup, and it paid off. Nurkić dominated his matchup with Nikola Jokić and set the tone for an eventual blowout. Damian Lillard never needed to get going as the Blazers downed the Nuggets 115 to 95.

Let’s go to the grades:

Nikola Jokić – D+

You won’t see Jokić play much worse in a playoff game. Nurkić outplayed him from start to finish, and the likely MVP looked exhausted as he struggled to swing momentum. But Jokić opted out of the exhaustion excuse when asked about it after the game:

“Give Nurk credit. He played amazing defense.”

Whether it be Nurkić’s defense or general fatigue from a massive burden on offense, the bottom line is the Nuggets need more from the MVP in Game 5. He’ll get a chance to respond in Denver, and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t return to form.

Michael Porter Jr. – F

Norman Powell and the Blazers are beginning to play Porter out of this series. Powell is at a size disadvantage, but his physicality is throwing Porter for a loop. Denver’s phenom looked a little defeated on the court. The moment swallowed him up.

More concerning than a lack of production is a lack of involvement, and he shot just three times all game. The growing pains we prepared each other for are manifesting. Porter must step up, but there’s time for that still. This series is far from over.

Aaron Gordon – D

You can add Gordon to the list of starters who struggled in Game 4. He finished just 2/7 from the floor, only grabbed four rebounds, and did not record an assist. He’s made a positive impact on the series overall, but Portland is not concerned with his offense. Nor should they have been on Saturday.

Austin Rivers – D+

Rivers took a couple of nasty spills in Game 4 and appeared to be bleeding from his hip area. His defense was tenable in the first half, but if you were waiting for another Rivers game, it never came. He took just five shots and only hit two.

Facundo Campazzo – D+

Campazzo recorded seven assists, but he struggled to knock down his shots. He finished just 3/10 from the floor. Every starter had a tough outing Saturday, from Jokić to Campazzo.

Monte Morris – B-

The second unit fared better than the starters, and Morris played a role with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. But he missed a few makable shots and didn’t convert on some of those pivotal chances that crop up throughout a game. Morris was far from the problem, but he, too, could have played better.

JaMychal Green – B-

Green knocked down a couple of big shots to stop the bleeding (temporarily) and was a crucial part of what went right for the bench in the first half. Still, but a modest contribution in the end with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists on 4/10 shooting.

Markus Howard – D-

Howard took 14 shots Saturday afternoon, the second-most on the Nuggets. That number alone is frustrating, and the lack of efficiency compounds that frustration. Only three of those shots fell.

Paul Millsap – B-

Millsap was one of the few who played with high energy and a sense of urgency. It wasn’t enough to change the tide, but at least he played hard.

Shaq Harrison – C-

Harrison played in 12 minutes and change off the bench. That isn’t the type of game he should be expected to check in and make an immediate impact. And it wasn’t.

The Clean-Up Crew (Sans Bol Bol) – Played

This is usually a good sign, but on Saturday, it was a sign of the worst. The Blazers got their desired result: not just a win, but a blowout.

Game Notes: Portland went away from Enes Kanter in their second unit, opting to go small instead. As mentioned above, Nurkić moved back into the starting lineup. After the game, however, Michael Malone insisted it wasn’t any particular adjustment that won the game. The Nuggets didn’t come ready to play.