Blazers bring NBA's top 3-point rate to soft Nuggets defense

The Portland Trail Blazers (4-1), who take the highest share of 3-pointers in the NBA, visit the Denver Nuggets (3-2), owners of the 21st-ranked defense, at 9 p.m. ET Monday, November 2.

Portland takes 51.7% of its shots from beyond the arc, and they fall: the Blazers' 56.2 effective field goal percentage is fourth. Denver allows opponents 54.2, 20th, so that volume meets a defense that has given up clean looks.

The ratings show the gap. Portland scores 117.2 points per 100 possessions, fourth, and Denver allows 113.4, 21st. The Blazers' net rating of 11.1 ranks third; the Nuggets sit 19th at -1.2.

The glass is the second fight. The Blazers grab 77.3% of available defensive rebounds, third in the league, which cuts off second chances. Denver ranks 22nd at 70.5%, an opening for Portland's bigs.

Deni Avdija runs the Blazers' offense with 23 points and 5.6 assists a game. Donovan Clingan anchors the paint with 8.8 rebounds, three of them offensive, and 1.8 blocks.

Denver leans on two players. Jamal Murray scores 25.8 points a game. Nikola Jokic averages 9.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists, and the offense runs through him.

Portland is thin in the backcourt. Shaedon Sharpe, who plays 28.3 minutes a game, is out and expected back Tuesday, March 2. Ja Morant, at 25.8 minutes, is also out, with a return expected Tuesday, December 1. Two more Blazers are out.

Denver is without Spencer Jones, who averaged 22.5 minutes and is expected back Wednesday, November 4. Julian Strawther is out, and Alpha Diallo is questionable.

Both teams arrive with some momentum. Portland routed Phoenix 124-83 but lost 124-103 at home to Memphis. Denver has won two straight on the road, 127-120 at Phoenix and 104-91 at New Orleans.

Sportsbook prices give Denver a 61% chance to win. The Keel projection has the Nuggets at 64%, favored by 4.6 points.