Nuggets-Trail Blazers Game 4 Grades: Don’t mess with Denver’s big two

The Nuggets have been a resilient bunch all season and were once again in Portland Sunday where they didn’t show any fatigue after a gut-wrenching four-overtime loss in Game 3, regaining home court advantage in an impressive 116-112 victory over the Trail Blazers.

We grade every performance from the Nuggets with our Dynamic Player Rating (DPR), which takes into account 12 different statistical factors.

Note: for DPRs that are lacking context, our beat reporters are offering their scout’s grade.

Nikola Jokic (B+) 79.48 — Jokic had his fourth triple-double in his 11th postseason game, with an impressive 21 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 38 minutes. His presence on the offensive glass was particularly crucial, as half of his rebounds were on the offensive end and he made some key put-backs down low. Jokic was also efficient from the floor recording a 62 TS% on his way to a 139 ORtg. While Murray took on most of the scoring load in the fourth quarter, Jokic ran the show, dishing out several key assists down the stretch allowing the Nuggets to keep pace with the Blazers in the game’s final minutes. It was just another day at the office for Denver’s star player, who didn’t show the effects of the 65 minutes he’d played just two nights prior in a plus-17 outing.

Scout’s Grade (A) — Jokic isn’t playing defense at the level he did in the Spurs’ series, and maybe Portland’s style of play (more pick-and-rolls, isolations) is why, but he’s still been superb and was once again Sunday. He’s not only been the best player in this series, but Jokic has also been arguably the MVP of the playoffs so far. He seems like he’s somehow upped the level of his passing too.

Jamal Murray (A-) 81.45 — Murray was the hot-hand on offense for Denver right out the gate and never let up after making an absurd behind the backboard jumper to start things off. Murray ended the night with 34 points, tieing a career-high in the playoffs, and making six free-throws in a row to end any chance of a Blazers comeback as he went a perfect 11 of 11 from the charity stripe. He registered a 68 TS% and accounted for a 143 ORtg on a high 30 USG% night. With an added five rebounds, four assists in a plus-10 night, Murray was nothing short of spectacular leading the Nuggets to a clutch win. 

Paul Millsap (B) 73.55 — Per DPR, this was Millsap’s second-best game of the 2019 playoffs, second only to his 20-point night in Game 2 of round one. Denver’s veteran forward had a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double with two blocks and one steal in a game-high 41 minutes. Millsap performed at maximum efficiency, accounting for a 144 ORtg and tallying a smooth 70 eFG%.

Gary Harris (C) 57.84 — While he did post a plus-13 in 36 minutes, Harris struggled a bit, scoring 14 points on a 42 eFG%, resulting in a negative net rating (117 ORtg to 123 DRtg). Struggles from beyond the arc and five fouls hurt Harris who did a nice job defensively even if the advanced stats didn’t fully support his effort.

Torrey Craig (D) 42.93 — Craig had another quiet night in 17 minutes (+3) and he didn’t have much of an impact on the box score. His 104 ORtg and 130 DRtg didn’t help his grade either, as he recorded a rough 37 eFG% on his way to three points and one rebound. 

Will Barton (C) 55.99 — Coming off the bench once again, Barton played starter minutes as he was on the court just under 30 on his way to 11 points, five rebounds, one steal, and three assists. While his 39 eFG% was pretty underwhelming, Barton did hit a clutch corner 3 in the dying moments of the game. He too played strong defense despite a 121 DRtg, his second worst of the series. 

Scout’s Grade (B+) — Barton wasn’t too impactful for three quarters but his two late-fourth-quarter 3s potentially saved Denver’s season. Without those makes, the Nuggets could be down 3-1.

Malik Beasley (D+) 46.51 — Beasley had his worst performance of the postseason, scoring just six points and not contributing much else in 14 minutes. He was also a minus-9 on the night. His shooting percentages and a -25 Net Rating hurt his grade too.

Monte Morris (D) 43.03 — Morris’ lack of impact continued in a postseason-low 10 minutes, as he only scored two points and dished out one assist while grabbing one steal as well. His 16 eFG% and 54 ORtg really hurt his grade too, as he’s now scored a GmSc in the negatives three times this series, a feat he only accomplished five times in the regular season. 

Mason Plumlee (C-) 53.22 — Despite an unimpressive minus-16 in 16 minutes, Plumlee made his impact felt with five rebounds, three coming on the offensive glass, four points, with one steal, one block, and one assist. His 66 eFG% and 136 ORtg were key as was a 114 DRtg. This was just what the doctor ordered for Denver’s backup center who hasn’t always taken advantage of Portland’s depleted center rotation.