Jokic’s Historic Streak on the Line as Trail Blazers Host Nuggets in NBA Cup Opener
The NBA Cup action tips off tonight with an exciting Western Conference clash between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets at the Moda Center. Both teams are off to promising starts this season, but the spotlight is clearly on Denver’s superstar, Nikola Jokic, who’s been rewriting the record books yet again.
Jokic has opened the season with four straight triple-doubles — a feat only matched by legends Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. Averaging 20.3 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game, he’s been the driving force behind the Nuggets’ three-game win streak. Now, as Denver aims for a fourth consecutive victory, Jokic has the chance to set a new NBA record if he can post another triple-double against Portland.
The Nuggets have looked sharp after dropping their opener to Golden State, bouncing back with wins over Phoenix, Minnesota, and New Orleans — including a dominant 122–88 victory earlier this week. Their mix of offensive firepower and solid defense has made them an early-season favorite, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into their first NBA Cup matchup in West Group C.
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For the Trail Blazers, it’s been a surprisingly solid start despite key injuries. Portland comes into the game 3–2 after wrapping up a strong road trip that included wins over the Lakers and Jazz. Their bench has been one of the best in the league, ranking sixth in bench scoring at 43 points per game. Jerami Grant, who’s come off the bench with tremendous energy, has scored 108 points in five games — the third-highest total by a reserve through that stretch in the past 25 years. He currently leads all NBA bench players with 21.6 points per game.
Defensively, Portland has shown grit, becoming just the third team in the last decade to record 10 or more steals in each of its first five games. Rookie center Donovan Clingan has also made an early impact, ranking second in offensive rebounds and fifth in second-chance points league-wide.
Still, the Blazers will be shorthanded tonight. Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, and Matisse Thybulle remain sidelined, while Kris Murray and Robert Williams III are questionable. Shaedon Sharpe, who’s been finding his rhythm, is probable to play.
On the betting front, Denver enters as the favorite at -4.5, with the over/under set around 238.5 points — fitting for two teams that rank among the league’s highest scorers.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. local time at the Moda Center, with the game airing on KUNP and Rip City Radio. As the first night of NBA Cup group play gets underway, all eyes will be on Jokic to see if history will be made once again — or if Portland can steal the spotlight at home.
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