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Portland Trailblazers @ New York Knicks
Spread: POR -1
O/U: 214
Injuries
Portland
Damian Lillard - IN
Anfernee Simons - IN (limited)
Derrick Jones Jr. - IN (limited)
Nassir Little - OUT
Knicks
Nerlens Noel - OUT
Defense vs. Position (DvP)
Knicks - 1st vs. PG / 11th vs. SG / 6th vs. SF / 4th vs. PF / 29th vs. C
Trailblazers - 26th vs. PG / 29th vs. SG / 7th vs. SF / 16th vs. PF / 9th vs. C
MVP/CPT
We should definitely have interest in the Knicks here and Randle specifically. The Knicks are getting a really nice pace up here and Randle is rolling putting up 48+ DKP in three straight games. He’s actually accomplished the feat seven times in his last 10 games. Randle put up 43 DKP against POR in their lone meeting with one another this year.
The Knicks grade out as an elite defensive unit at all positions but center, but this is Dame Dolla we’re talking about. Without C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic this year, Lillard has a 31.5% USG rate and averages 1.31 FP/min, both lead the team. Lillard has 50 actual point upside.
The Knicks are in trouble here when the Blazers toss the ball inside to Kanter. The Knicks rank 29th against the center position according to DvP. Kanter has gone for 40+ DKP in two straight and in 5-of-6, with all six games in a row with a double-double. Kanter averages 1.15 FP/min without Nurkic and McCollum.
Mid-Tier
Barrett has by no means been great lately, but he’s been solid averaging 30.2 DKP/game over his last five. The keys here are that he is ALWAYS playing big minutes and gets a massive pace up spot against one of the worst defensive units in the league. He could even see some Carmelo Anthony defense here.
Gary Trent Jr.
Trent has been incredible for Portland lately as he’s poured in 24+ actual points in two straight and 18+ in 5-of-6 overall. Trent has put up 28+ DKP in those five games as well. He’s been one of the Blazers go-to offensive weapons and his number will once again be called upon today with a hobbled Damian Lillard and limited Derrick Jones in the starting lineup.
In two of the last three games we’ve seen Robinson’s minutes creeping up at 28 or more minutes. Nerlens Noel has been ruled out so Robinson should once again play 30 or so minutes once again. We’ve only seen one double-double over his last 10 games, but this is his shot. Enes Kanter is a bad defender.
Value Tier
It’s really been the Immanuel Quickley show lately but Payton played one of his best games of the year last time out, pouring in 20 actual points while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out four assists. Portland ranks 29th vs. point-guards this year.
This is risky because Derrick Jones Jr. and Damian Lillard are both back, but Jones Jr. has been listed as limited, which could free up some more run for Hood. Hood has poured in 15+ actual points and 35+ minutes in two straight games. His offense is an X-factor in a showdown format.
Player News
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.