November 2, 2026 at 4:02 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Jokic and a Healthier Nuggets Rotation Should Hold the Edge Over Short-Handed Portland

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Denver's star power and improving health outweigh a Portland team reportedly missing Ja Morant.

The biggest factor in Denver's favor is Nikola Jokic. He comes in fresh off his 200th career triple-double, a win over New Orleans, which suggests he is healthy and playing at a high level. Portland's first task is to find any workable answer to a center who can score, rebound and create for everyone around him. That is hard to do over 48 minutes on the road.

The Trail Blazers also face a talent gap on their own side. CBS Sports reported that Ja Morant is expected to miss at least four weeks with a hamstring strain. If that timeline holds, Portland will be without a player the report describes as a team star. That puts more pressure on the rest of the roster to create offense against a Denver defense that does not need to chase a lead guard.

Denver's own health is worth watching. Cameron Johnson was upgraded to questionable ahead of the Nuggets' Phoenix game after missing three games with an ankle injury. Diallo, Jones and Strawther were also listed out at that point, though two of the four could return. I can't say who will be available here, but any return helps. Johnson's shooting matters because Denver has struggled from three, and more spacing would give Jokic cleaner driving and passing lanes.

Denver started 2-2 and has been trying to get above .500 for the first time this season, so it has reason to take this game seriously at home. Portland should hang around for stretches, but Denver's top-end talent and its likely rotation gains should show up in the second half.

Prediction: Nuggets 118, Trail Blazers 106.

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