Blazers vs. Nuggets: Western Conference Showdown at Moda Center
The Portland Trail Blazers will face off against the Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference showdown at the Moda Center. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, October 31. You can catch the action on Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM) or watch it on KUNP (Antenna: 47.1, Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170, DirecTV: 47, Spectrum: 184). If you prefer to stream the game, you can do so through BlazerVision for an annual fee of $120. Additionally, those without cable can watch the game for free with an HDTV antenna via their local ABC affiliate.
In terms of odds, the Oregon Lottery/DraftKings Moneyline favors the Nuggets at -205, while the spread is DEN -4.5 with an Over/Under of 238.5. This game marks the start of the NBA Cup, an in-season tournament where the Blazers and Nuggets are part of West Group C alongside Houston, San Antonio, and Golden State. The teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the winner advancing to a single-elimination tournament in December in Las Vegas. The Blazers have been performing well, with a recent win over the Utah Jazz where their bench contributed significantly.
Portland's bench has been a key factor in their success, with Jerami Grant leading the league in bench scoring at 21.6 points per game. The team has also been strong defensively, recording 10 or more steals in each of their first five games. On the other side, the Nuggets have been led by Nikola Jokic, who has recorded a triple-double in all four of their games this season. Jokic's impressive performance could pose a challenge for the Blazers in this matchup. Denver enters the game with a three-game winning streak after an initial overtime loss.
In terms of injuries, Portland will be without Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, and Matisse Thybulle, while Kris Murray and Robert Williams III are questionable. Denver's Cameron Johnson is probable, but Jamal Murray is questionable due to left calf tightness. The Blazers will face the Los Angeles Lakers in their next game, marking the second meeting between the teams in a week. Their previous encounter resulted in a 122-108 victory for Portland in Los Angeles.