Nuggets-Trail Blazers Game 5 Grades: The beautiful game

The Nuggets didn’t play around in a decisive Game 5 win at home, easing past the Trail Blazers for a 124-98 win.

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 (A) 85.21 — Jokic was a rebound short of completing a 25 and 20 double-double and still had six assists. The crazy thing, when putting it into the greater context of Jokic’s postseason, is this was only his fifth-best game of the playoffs per DPR, all in his first taste of playoff basketball. There isn’t another player in the world who can make that claim. Jokic was also incredibly efficient with a 127 ORtg, a 94 DRtg, shooting 55 percent per eFG% and accounting for a 30 USG% on a plus-26 night. Fouling out hurt him a bit as did three turnovers, but this was another wildly productive night for the Joker. 

Jamal Murray (B) 72.81 —  Murray ran the show with nine assists and zero turnovers in 34 minutes of plus-28 ball, while also scoring 18 points, grabbing five rebounds and recording one block. He only shot 46 percent per eFG%, as his shot from beyond the arc wasn’t falling, but still had a superb game with a 132 ORtg and a 102 DRtg. 

Paul Millsap (A-) 79.90 — Millsap couldn’t be stopped in this one, asserting himself early and often to score 24 points in 34 minutes, with eight boards. His 20.7 GmSc was easily his best of the postseason as he accounted for a plus-18 with an outstanding 128 ORtg and a 93 DRtg. Millsap also shot 66% from beyond the arc and had a solid 58 eFG% overall, while also accounting for a high 25 USG% in a stellar outing.  

Gary Harris (B) 72.36 — Harris had a game-high plus-31 in 37 minutes, as he asserted his will early on getting to the hoop and creating fast break opportunities. He instantly put Portland on their back heels and got to the free throw line often with six attempts, all makes. His defensive effort really stood out as well with a 97 DRtg, as he produced a solid 16 points and six rebounds on the night. His shooting percentages weren’t stellar as he only shot 41 percent per eFG% but he was a huge catalyst in the Nuggets taking control of the game early and never looking back. 

Torrey Craig (B-) 64.70 — Craig had his best game of the series with a solid eight and eight stat line, adding a steal and an assist in a plus-10 outing in just 24 minutes. He shot an efficient 58 percent per eFG% and posted a spectacular plus 46 net rating with a 94 DRtg. 

Will Barton (C+) 60.64 — Barton’s 44 eFG% hurt his grade a bit in a solid outing where he accounted for a plus-16 in just 26 minutes. With a decent stat line of 10 points, three boards, and two assists, Barton had one of his better performances of this postseason even if he wasn’t spectacular.

Malik Beasley (B-) 65.54 — Beasley hadn’t scored a DPR this high since back in Game 3 against the Spurs, putting up a quick 10 points in 14 minutes of -5 ball. Beasley’s efficient scoring really led to his high grade despite only being on the court for less than 15 minutes, as he shot an impressive 94 TS% and totaled a 192 ORtg, outstanding figures. 

Monte Morris (C-) 53.84 — Morris had his best game in what has been a rough series for the backup point guard, scoring six points in 14 minutes. He shot 50 percent per eFG%, which is far from great, but did have a 131 ORtg with a 105 DRtg, both pretty impressive numbers. While he didn’t have a turnover, which he’s managed to do in the last four games, he also didn’t dish out a single assist in a fairly underwhelming performance. 

Mason Plumlee (C) 55.74 — Plumlee really had an impact on the boards in just 18 minutes, pulling down nine rebounds, adding four assists and a block. His 88 DRtg was also very strong in a game where Plumlee didn’t have to do much more than score four points but still managed to have a real impact.