This formidable trio once again has the Blazers in the thick of things out West.

Speaking of thick, It's no secret that I'm a huge Nurkic guy, just not so huge as THIS Nurkic guy.

Keepin' the seat warm for Barton, who seems to be in a best case time-frame in terms of returning from an injury that required surgery. He should be back in the lineup by around December 15th.

For context with regard to the statistical aspects of this piece, please open this link: TPM™

Nuggets vs Portland: Jurkic VI

When last these two teams squared off in game 81 of last season, the Nuggets (lap) enjoyed double figure TPM contributions from five players led by Nikola Jokic: +16. Only one player, Trey Lyles: -2 was in the red for that encounter, en route to a crucial victory for the good guys which set up a one and done match-up between Denver and Minnesota in the following game, with a playoff ticket the spoils of the victor.

Both halves of Jurkic showcased what they do best; Juka with his tremendous line of 20-19-1 and Big Honey with his 3D performance of 15-20-11. Nurkic forced Jokic to shoot just 5-14 from the floor while Juka himself got anything he wanted down low, to the tune of 9-15 shooting but as always, The Joker contributes in many ways -not all of which quantifiable- when the shot isn't falling. Denver played solid perimeter D vs the star-studded back-court for Portland, holding McCollum and Lillard to a combined 13-40 shooting night, including just 4-15 from the arc.

In five entertaining match-ups so far between Jurkic:

Juka has averaged 19.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.8 SPG & 1.2 BPG

Jokic has averaged 16.2 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.2 SPG & 1.4 BPG

After doing this simple math I realize that these numbers mean next-to-nothing as they are vaguely similar to each players season averages this year but I thought someone out there in TPM-land may be curious. Anywho... the head to head series in terms of wins favors Jokic, 3-2.

This emphasis also detracts from the bigger issues facing both squads when they square off. Denver must contain, as they are impossible to thwart, Portland's elite back-court and force the tertiary cast into tough, contested jumpers. Portland on the other hand must contend with the play-making ability of Jokic, the deepest and most functional bench unit in the league and the fact that any of the 10 rotational players are capable of having a big night on any given evening.

As for this game, Denver is coming in hot, owners of a modest four game winning streak. I say modest given that the league's second youngest team now has streaks of 9-1 W/L, 1-7 and the aforementioned 4 straight wins. Portland on the other hand are losers in three of their last four contests but posses one of the better home-court advantages in the league, in their astute and raucous home crowd at the (is it the Moda Center still? I can't keep up with this corporate tripe) arena I so badly want to call the Rose Garden (RIP Elliot Smith.)

On top of the Jurkic intrigue, the star power and the division rivalry, this game has obvious playoff implications, even in an adolescent season. Denver currently sits one game out of first place in the West, atop the Northwest division (I still don't get why PDX and PHO aren't re-assigned to more accurate geographical surroundings) while Portland is hot on their trail, just one game behind. McLilkic average a combined 21.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG & 3.5 assists (while I'm showing off my Luddite, basic math skills.) The Blazers bench/supporting unit is hardly g-league themdamnedselves as they receive valuable contributions from Turner, Collins, the Chief and occasionally Sauce Castillo but obviously, as their top three go, so goes their fortune while Denver continues to approach competition with a battle of attrition, all hands on deck mentality.

The only other notable aspect of tonight's game, that I'd be remiss in exemptive-mention-neglect, is the matter of Portland's decided variable advantage in possessing the single greatest nickname in the league on their roster. I am of course speaking of...

Jake "The Term Limit" Layman.

Prediction: Denver (lap) 107 - PDX 111

Go Nuggets!

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If you are viewing the pre-game version of the TPM piece; and you enjoy Gonzo-basketball reporting, I invite you to please join me after the game where the same link will lead you to the post game version. In it, all of the disjointed/unsightly blanks below will be filled, complete with data/analysis and more snark than "Snarknado VI: Snakenado", which I'm told is about a pessimistic, albino, black mamba who emerges from micro-bursts to torment the people of Los Angeles with shady tweets.

There be monsters; shameless, personal plug alert! (by permission of Denver Stiffs): If you are in the market for clothing, featuring the four major Denver sports franchises as well s CU, please open this link in a new tab to see if there is anything you are interested in. You don't have to order from the link of course if you are in the Denver Metro area, as I'm more than happy to meet up with you (please refrain from bringing rotten tomatoes), drastically lowering the cost, as Poshmark takes a healthy cut as well as shipping & handling. Thanks in advance!

Unique, hard to find, one of a kind and custom gear of your favorite team

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And now what none of you come here for; how about some basketball nerdery?!?!

(After these messages... Er Nicknames)

Portland Trail Blazers Roster

Denver Nuggets Roster

Update: MPJ and I.T. are sleeping on Ice, awaiting intel as to when their services will be required. Rookie Jared Vanderbilt will have to wait to make his rookie debut until long after R.O.Y. candidate Thomas Welsh, as he recovers from an actual injury. Harris is questionable with numerous ailments of lower extremities. Millsap is expected to play through knee soreness after banging kneecaps with PG13. Finally, Barton had successful surgery on his abductor and hip. He will be evaluated for return in mid-December. As for PDX, none reported at Blazers Edge.

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Data:

TPM™ Game 22 PDX

Jamal Murray: +13

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +13

Brandon Goodwin: N/A

Gary Harris: +24

Malik Beasley: +1

Torrey Craig: +0

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: N/A

Will Barton: N/A

Juancho Hernangomez: +1

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: +17

Trey Lyles: +1

Tyler Lydon: N/A

Nikola Jokic: +25

Mason Plumlee: +2

Thomas Welsh: +ALL OF THE TPM!!!!!!!!

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Total TPM™

Jamal Murray: 22 games +342

Isaiah Thomas: 0 games +0

Monte Morris: 22 games +275

Brandon Goodwin: 0 Games +0

Gary Harris: 20 games +315

Malik Beasley: 22 games +84

Torrey Craig: 18 games +5

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: 6 games +5

Will Barton: 2 games +33

Juancho Hernangomez: 21 games +32

Michael Porter Jr.: 0 games +0

Jared Vanderbilt: 0 games +0

Paul Millsap: 22 games +206

Trey Lyles: 22 games +176

Tyler Lydon: +7 games +9

Nikola Jokic: 22 games +418

Mason Plumlee: 22 games +159

Thomas Welsh: 4 games+2

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Avg. TPM™ Per Game

Jamal Murray: +15.55

Isaiah Thomas: N/A

Monte Morris: +12.50

Brandon Goodwin: +0.00

Gary Harris: +15.75

Malik Beasley: +3.82

Torrey Craig: +0.28

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell: +0.83

Will Barton: +16.50

Juancho Hernangomez: +1.52

Michael Porter Jr.: N/A

Jared Vanderbilt: N/A

Paul Millsap: +9.36

Trey Lyles: 8.00

Tyler Lydon: +1.29

Nikola Jokic: +19.00

Mason Plumlee: +7.23

Thomas Welsh: +0.55

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TPM™ Per-Minute Splits Through Game 20/21:

*Credit DomP on the Spreadsheet. It's as if my (nerdy) baby (TPM™) learned to speak

Analysis:

Qtr1- The Nuggets return to their second iteration of the post-Craig (RIP), injury-replacement starting five, consisting of Murray, Harris, Juancho, Millsap & Jokic. The Blazers counter with Lillard, McCollum, Harkless, Aminu & Nurkic. Good to have Harris back but I hope for his sake and that of the Nuggets, that he's coming back at 100%. No need to rush back the way this team and his understudies are performing, otherwise. Over under on Dorris Burke talking about New York/New Jersey tonight in a west-coast game? I'm going with 3. Harris seems spry and limber; obviously a welcome sight. Juancho just attempted a drive. This is why we can't have nice things. He redeems himself with a wet three. Two straight from beyond the arc for him and it's 9-8 Denver at 8:44. He draws what seems to be his first foul on a two point shot attempt in this young season and he's got 7 early points. For the sake of clarity that's not a dig at Juancho but at referees playing to reputations rather than calling what occurs. The Nuggets lead by three heading into the first break at 6:28.

All five starters are pitching in for Denver thus-far. Meanwhile, all starters for PDX except for Lillard have picked up a foul while the Nuggets are squeaky-bean-clean to this point, as they lead 25-17 with 4:45 to go. Morris is first off the pine for Denver at said time. The lead is up to 11 on the strength of a 13-2 run at 3:45. Plumlee is in at 3:24, up nine. The Nuggets are shooting lights out at 67% and they lead by 12 with 2:10 remaining. Harris is first to reach double figures. Juancho is once again wearing a hole in my pad but mostly in a positive manner tonight. This might just be the most pristine offensive first quarter Denver has played all season. Craig checks in with a little under a minute to go. Denver is paced in TPM by Jokic/Murray +9 as they lead 38-26 after one.

Qtr2- Beasley is in there to start the second period. The lead is up to 14 as Morris sticks one from distance. The only blemish as I see it has been Lyles' defensive output thus-far, which he has yet to mitigate offensively. Plumlee nabs three incredibly quick fouls which is problematic. Collins, unlike Nurkic, appears to be exceedingly easy to move off the block; in this case it's the PG Murray doing so. The Nuggets have their biggest lead of 17 at 7:05 on a three by Lyles, Denver's eighth on the night. Millsap makes two in double figures for the Nuggets. The tables have turned in the game within the game, as PDX is already in the bonus with 5:30 remaining while they have cleaned up their act and have yet to commit a foul in the second. Couple that with the fact that they lead the league in FT% and it's an obviously sub-optimal scenario for the Nuggets.

Denver is cooling off as the spacing and timing are malfunctioning offensively but they've picked up the D as the starters filter back in. The Blazers nonetheless cut it to eight on the strength of a 9-0 run, as the Nuggets now can't buy a bucket. The AVS have tied their game with St. Louis at 2 with a goal by NHL scoring leader Mikko Rantanen, who was being cheap-shotted up and down the ice in the 1+ periods I was able to watch. Will the Avs EVER not play on an evening in which the Nuggets do? McCollum/Lillard are really starting to chuck it at this point. Some ill-advised heaves being hoisted in amongst stout defense as Denver is snatching the yoke from the pilot (shout out to Portland transplants The Shins). Big Honey makes three in double figures for the Nuggets as the first half comes to a close. Denver is paced in TPM by Millsap +14, Murray +15 & Jokic +19 as they lead 68-53 at the half.

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Qtr3- The Avs are heading to overtime as it appears I'm missing yet another good one. I'm purposely avoiding mention of a certain statistic surrounding Jokic and his first half performance as a means to keep it going. The Nuggets twitter management requires reprimanding on the matter however. Murray has taken far too many off-balance J's and floaters tonight and it shows in his 1-7 shooting. Denver leads by 10 at 10:10. The Avs apparently lost on overtime but if a tree falls in the forest. The lead is 10 at 7:42. Lillard has but five points at the moment which frankly, scares the fuck out of me. The Blazers cut it to nine and Malone wisely uses a timeout as the eager crowd is starting to stir, at 6:42. Jokic finally misses a shot and I blame Nuggets twitter.

Juancho drives for a second time tonight and this is why we can't have nice things. Is it just me or is it very predictable as to when Harris is about to make or miss a three? Juancho will have a respectable 2D on his next conversion. The lead is seven as bench units filter in for both squads. Lillard/McCollum have yet to rest in the 3rd period and whether or not they sit the rest of the way is very much in question. As expected they play the entire third and it shows in the waning moments as the lead is down to three with 30 seconds remaining. Lyles miraculously answers a 30 foot heave by Damian with one from 40 of his own, as the period comes to a close. Denver is paced in TPM by Murray +11, Millsap +14, Harris +16 & Jokic +24 as they cling to a precarious lead of 91-85 after three.

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Qtr4- Escaping the Pacific Northwest with a win by any margin should be seen as an enormous victory at this point for the good guys. McCollum is out for PDX as the bench + Murray grouping continues to play for Denver. Lillard has played the entire second half thus-far. Portland is picking up the defensive intensity and the young Nuggets are playing right into it by taking contested outside jumpers. Plumlee with a nightly rejection, this time of his close friend Lillard, leads to a layup for Morris on the other end and the lead is nine at 10:14. I expect McCollum and Denver's starters to return following the initial break of the fourth quarter. Morris finally makes four in double figures for the Nuggets. I was half-correct as McCollum returns but only Murray is in of the Nuggets starting five. Lillard surprisingly takes a seat at this time. An odd utilization by Stotts if you ask me. Harris is in for Denver at 9:15. The Nuggets are getting sloppy and it's past-time to insert the starters. The lead is down to three and Malone is forced to call a timeout at 8:10. The starters - Murray finally return for Denver as Lillard continues to rest. The crowd is raucous and it's nervous time. Lillard and Murray return at 6:50 and it's go time! The times they are a changing" - Bobcat Goldthwaite. The refs are swallowing their whistles on both ends. An oversight by myself; Morris remains in for Juancho which I've advocated for all season as a closing unit. Points for Malone. The Nuggets lead by six at 4:45. Harris earns his fifth foul seconds later. The lead is eight on the strength of a 7-0 run for Denver. An absolute phantom call goes against Millsap, sending McCollum to the line where he drains three, cutting the lead once again to three at 1:58.

Harris drives and has his shot blocked cleanly, earning a makeup call. He sticks 1-2 and the charity stripe bug is contagious. A goal-tend against Plumlee is called on a shot that never got far above the rim and never changed angle. Horrendous call which is about to be reversed. Nope! These refs were fine for 3 quarters and change but now can't even get a call correct with the advantage of replay! Denver leads by two with one minute remaining. Nurkic removes Murray from his defense of McCollum; no call and it's even-Steven with 55 seconds to go. Murray is sent to the line in a bit of a bail out by these suddenly-maddening officials and the Nuggets lead by two with 44 seconds to go. He becomes the fifth Nugget to reach double figures on a piss-poor shooting night. Lillard blows through everyone, coast-to-coast to tie it up again. He's not going to be denied tonight so it's going to take some serious intestinal fortitude from the Nuggets if they hope to earn this win. Harris sinks a dagger three from the near corner that I felt going in as it left his hands. Admit it, you felt it too! The lead is yet again three with 16.5 seconds remaining. Time to buckle down defensively. McCollum scores on a layup, far too easily followed by a Murray turnover that is about to be reversed (famous last words.) They take their sweet ass time to review this one and finally do something right, as Denver holds tightly to a tentative, one point lead with 6.9 seconds to go and no time outs remaining. This time Murray DOES actually step out but the refs CLEARLY missed an obvious push by The Chief which caused the infraction. It's Blazers ball with 5.7 seconds to go and it's not looking good for the Nuggets. Portland and their iso heavy style lives for these scenarios more-so than just about anybody. Denver plays excellent D, especially Mason on the switch out to Lillard, forcing Damian to feed McCollum late in the clock and this one is ova! Denver is paced in TPM by Murray/Morris +13, Millsap +17, Harris +24 & Jokic +25 as they earn an excellent win in Portland, 113-112

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Final Thoughts: Well at least Malone utilized Craig correctly in this one. Denver gets the ugly victory I dialed up to begin the 4th quarter. Welcome back Gary Harris! Brandon Goodwin achieves a season high +0 in TPM. If you took Dorris and the under you get my negative judgement as gambling is a fools errand.

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The Nuggets Win!

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