Nuggets-Trail Blazers Game 6 Grades: Where did the bench go?

With the Trail Blazers facing elimination, the Nuggets couldn’t overcome an inspired performance from the home team in a 119-108 loss setting up Game 7 Sunday in Denver.

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-) 80.20 — Jokic has now scored an A- grade or higher in all but one game in the series, with his near triple-double in Game 6 allowing him to accomplish that feat again. With 29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, Joker was incredibly efficient shooting 73 percent per eFG% with a 140 ORtg. Jokic stayed aggressive, getting to the line a series-high eight times and nailing two 3s as well.  However, this did mark his first game with a negative plus-minus against Portland (-5) as he tallied four turnovers and fouled out. This also marked his lowest offensive rebound total with just two as the Blazers were better in limiting Denver’s second-chance opportunities. 

Jamal Murray (B+) 75.53 —  Playing a game-high 46 minutes, Murray had a scrappy performance in which he was extremely productive scoring 24 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and even dishing out five assists. His biggest issue was on the offensive end as he and the Nuggets struggled to create high percentage looks in the second half. Murray’s 42 eFG% hurt his grade as did a negative Net Rating, in an otherwise gutsy performance. 

Paul Millsap (C+) 63.70 — Millsap was another Nugget starter who couldn’t find his shot as he only made 30% of his looks per eFG% in an off night where he still managed to score 17 points. While Millsap did add six rebounds, three steals, an assist, and a block in 39 minutes, the Blazers’ forwards were just better as Millsap had his worst DRtg (125) of the entire series. 

Gary Harris (C+) 60.50 — Harris provided a few sparks for the Nuggets, constantly battling on the defensive end and staying aggressive attacking the hoop. In 40 minutes, he got to the line four times and recorded a 50 eFG%, which amazingly is his second-best eFG% of the series. Harris could only do so much against Portland’s star guards in a minus-3 outing and his worst DRtg of the series (128). He did score 15 points, with three steals and five assists for a passing grade. 

Torrey Craig (C) 55.94 — Craig played his part scoring 10 points on 50% shooting from beyond the arc and registered an impressive 153 ORtg, he’s now made 38% of his 3s this series. It’s his impact in other areas of the game that was a bit lacking as he grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots but also accounted for a 132 DRtg.

Will Barton (D) 43.14 — Notice how the starters all received a C grade or higher, that wasn’t the case for a bench unit that was severely outplayed, starting with Barton and his minus-25 night in 26 minutes. Barton’s impact was a bit lacking, as he only scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds, regressing a bit after scoring in double-figures the previous three games. 

Malik Beasley (D-) 39.53 — Beasley was missing in action on the night, scoring just two points in 10 minutes in a minus-3 outing. His 40 ORtg and 139 DRtg say everything you need to know about his lack of impact in the contest. 

Mason Plumlee (C) 58.89 — The eye test would suggest that even a C is too high for Denver’s backup center, who was outplayed by Zach Collins throughout. What salvaged Plumlee’s grade was that he was perfect from the field, scoring four points and wracking up a 232 ORtg. He also managed to grab four offensive rebounds but just didn’t have enough of an impact despite his ultra-efficient showing.