Nuggets at Blazers 10/23/19 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The Denver Nuggets visit the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday to face the Portland Trail Blazers in the opening game of the NBA regular season for both. Expectations are high in Denver. The Nuggets picked up their option on veteran Paul Millsap and extended the contract of Jamal Murray while adding the talented Jerami Grant. Michael Porter Jr. sat out all of last season, but is 100% and ready to contribute in scoring.

With Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have not only a top scorer but one of the best passers of any big man in the game. The extension given Murray makes him and Jokic the two faces of the future in Denver. While Jokic may be the more talented of the two, Murray will be the one to get them to the next level, but at 22-years of age, is the sharpshooter ready to handle the responsibility.

Portland reached the Western Conference Finals last season, but might find it hard to return this season. Four of Portland’s top seven players in minutes played during the postseason have left. Gone are Al-Farouq Aminu, Seth Curry, and Enes Kanter. Rodney was re-signed, but Evan Turner was sent packing to Atlanta in exchange for Kent Bazemore. The Trail Blazers acquired Hassan Whiteside to bolster the front court. 

The biggest moves for Portland may have been extending the contract of both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The two carry the load offensively each game and their leadership could help to revitalize the game of Whiteside. Zach Collins returns and is expected to have a breakthrough season. Anfernee Simons will be the big scorer when Lillard and McCollum sit. The Trail Blazers will contend for another playoff run.