The Denver Nuggets play against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center
The Denver Nuggets are spending $10,859,584 per win while the Portland Trail Blazers are spending $11,596,493 per win
Game Time: 10:00 PM EST on Thursday December 8, 2022
Broadcast Info
National TV: NBA TV
Home TV: ROOT SPORTS PLUS
Away TV: Altitude
Home Radio: Rip City Radio 620
Away Radio: KKSE 92.5FM
When the game is underway, you can follow it here!
What’s the buzz on Twitter?

@HarrisonWind
Michael Porter Jr.’s listed as out tomorrow vs. Utah. Jamal Murray (left knee contusion) and Jeff Green (right knee contusion) are probable. – 5:45 PM

@nuggets
Watching Nuggets Basketball is better with Nuggets Nation 🥳
Come to Rhein Haus next Friday to watch some Nuggs hoops and win prizes + signed gear!
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/ZbBcN1S15B – 4:55 PM


@trailblazers
Keep scrapping, keep building
#RipCity | @Xfinity pic.twitter.com/EnMltryTgf – 4:47 PM

@BasketNews_com
Slovenian Vlatko Cancar celebrating Croatia’s sensational win against Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 🫶
📸 @Denver Nuggets pic.twitter.com/AjQX2D7nGa – 4:47 PM


@BasketNews_com
Slovenian Vlatko Cancar celebrating Croatia’s sensational win against Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 🫶 pic.twitter.com/eHxBAo0TjE – 4:47 PM


@ChristopherHine
I won’t be on Timberwolves duty tonight. Officiating my first wedding 😬. I’ll be in Portland tomorrow. .@BloodStrib will be filling in with remote coverage tonight. – 4:37 PM

@HarrisonWind
I’ve been trying to tell you about Christian Braun. pic.twitter.com/WsDHjjWcUs – 4:22 PM



@nuggets
Congrats to DJ for 1k games under the belt 🥳 pic.twitter.com/jWNklS6FiP – 2:16 PM


@katywinge
WE ARE BACK! 🎁💚♥️
It’s my 12 days of Nuggets Christmas with @AltitudeAuth! The latest and greatest and best gear and gifts for Nuggets Nation.
Each day I’ll be posting here, on my TikTok, and Instagram story, plus linking the item for you to purchase.
Hoopy Holidays to all! pic.twitter.com/WO4zY6EbGF – 2:13 PM

@DaneMooreNBA
– DLo’s shooting spike over last month
– Rudy’s UTA numbers v. MIN numbers
– Why the Wolves are 3rd in halfcourt D but 13th in overall D
– With the 3-pt volume down, where else can the Wolves find value?
– Previewing UTA + POR
Today’s show w/ @KyleTheige
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dlo… – 2:01 PM

@statmuse
15/10/5 seasons on 60% shooting:
— Wilt in 1967
— Jokic this season
— Sabonis this season pic.twitter.com/XMghjsdGiG – 1:09 PM




@msinger
Clip doesn’t show it fully, but this was the third player Christian Braun defended in this sequence. When your hair’s on fire, this is the type of defense you play. pic.twitter.com/1HyTABPQHB – 1:05 PM


@Anthony_Chiang
Jimmy Butler ranks fourth in the NBA in win shares per 48 minutes this season behind only Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic.
Jimmy Butler, still very good. – 12:52 PM


@trailblazers
📸 12.8.22
PHOTOS » https://t.co/sLqmu5StGb pic.twitter.com/KmhHNvYbV5 – 12:47 PM





@TasMelas
DROP POD
• Murray spoils ‘Dame Time’
• Buy or Sell: Clippers? Heat? Tatum MVP?
• Worst of the Week nominees (🫡 #NoChillGil / @KingJosiah54 for the Beal content)
📼: https://t.co/fpngUNXD8W
🍎: https://t.co/XjSclyKw9q
✳️: https://t.co/YpCkqbobMa
🅰️: https://t.co/v1qudKTIUE pic.twitter.com/h8wrjViK4K – 12:36 PM


@highkin
Story from last night on an epic Damian Lillard-Jamal Murray shootout rosegardenreport.com/p/trail-blazer… – 12:22 PM

@AdamZagoria
The Nike Hoop Summit will return to Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, April 8, 2023.
It will feature both a men’s and the inaugural women’s game with top American high school athletes facing off against a World Team of top international players 19-and-younger. – 12:03 PM

@ESPNNBA
Jamal Murray missed 555 days recovering from an ACL injury in 2021.
Thursday night, he hit the game winner against the Blazers 👏 pic.twitter.com/0EdVV14arB – 12:02 PM


@NBABlackburn
Hey folks, I’m about to record this week’s Nuggets AMA with @kimberlyjbecker. Send us your questions! Need them within the next 30 minutes. – 11:53 AM

@statmuse
Jamal Murray last 10 games:
20.2 PPG
5.7 APG
2.4 3P
Starting to look like his old self. pic.twitter.com/71AAsRJhJ1 – 11:02 AM


@jwquick
On Thursday, 20 months after tearing his ACL, Jamal Murray hit a game-winning 3-pointer that afforded him a chance to look back. Back to the doubts, the frustrations and the questions.
“I’ve come a long way,” Murray said.
theathletic.com/3985315/2022/1… – 11:00 AM

@msinger
In the aftermath of his ACL tear, Jamal Murray’s mind wandered to the ludicrous. He asked Michael Malone if the #Nuggets were going to trade him. Murray hadn’t spoken publicly about that exchange until last night.
“There were so many doubts,” he said.
denverpost.com/2022/12/09/jam… – 10:52 AM


@statmuse
No player has ever had a season averaging
20 PPG
10 RPG
8 APG
60 FG%
Jokic is averaging 24/10/9 on 63% shooting. pic.twitter.com/kHrnOljaXb – 10:27 AM



@KeithSmithNBA
Finished up DEN-POR:
-Great game. Incredible shot-making!
-Jokic dominated
-Good AG game
-Murray played with some swagger again
-Bones does stuff
-Nurk always has it for his old team
-Blazers are a couple of guys short. Sharpe will be one eventually & getting guys healthy. – 9:47 AM

@jkubatko
Nikola Jokic last night:
✅ 33 PTS
✅ 10 REB
✅ 9 AST
It’s the 90th time he’s been his team’s outright leader in all three categories.
Only two players in NBA history have recorded more such games: LeBron James (151) and Russell Westbrook (98).
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… – 9:14 AM

@PetePranica
We have three officials (and they will show up on time). They have been assigned by the #NBA: Tony Brothers, Dedric Taylor and John Butler. @Memphis Grizzlies take on DET, trying to keep win streak going. See it on @GrizzOnBally starting at 6:30 pm. #BigMemphis – 9:10 AM

@statmuse
Nikola Jokic has been 1 REB or AST away from a triple-double in 6 games this season.
He is still 2nd in the NBA in triple-doubles, with only 3 fewer than Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/TppIwkSnIL – 9:00 AM


@hoopshype
Michael Malone on Jamal Murray: He asked me ‘are you guys gonna trade me?’ That’s where his mind was, he was like ‘maybe I’m damaged goods, maybe they don’t want me anymore’. I shut that down and said ‘we love you, you’re not being traded. You’re gonna come back a better player.’ pic.twitter.com/85ADhftLv2 – 9:00 AM

@teamziller
Good Morning It’s Basketball: Jamal Murray hit the snooze button on Dame Time ziller.substack.com/p/jamal-murray… – 8:47 AM

@basketballtalk
Three things to know: Watch Jamal Murray drain game-winning 3 to beat Blazers nba.nbcsports.com/2022/12/09/thr… – 8:24 AM

@NBABlackburn
NEW episode of Pickaxe and Roll!
It’s late, but I had to react to today’s events.
From my convo with Jamal this morning, to the game-winning three to help the Nuggets beat the Blazers 121-120 tonight, it truly was a fantastic day.
Let’s talk about it.
https://t.co/zMZuOYUf1S pic.twitter.com/AhvSpc2hSM – 3:59 AM


@Eurohoopsnet
A big game by Jokic gets the Nuggets another win eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/14… – 3:09 AM

@AaronJFentress
Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant takes blame for 121-120 loss to Denver: ‘Yeah, it’s on me’
Grant lamented allowing Jamal Murray to hit a game-winning three with the Blazers up two and only seconds remaining.
“I let him get his shot off.” – Grant
#RipCity
oregonlive.com/blazers/2022/1… – 3:06 AM

@HarrisonWind
Nikola Jokic is averaging a Sombor Double this season: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists per game – 2:45 AM

@trailblazers
💬 @CarMax Quote of the Night pic.twitter.com/dSA06sPy2c – 2:31 AM


@nuggets
Dreamin’ about this bucket 💤
Goodnight, WUGGETS WATION pic.twitter.com/f2wSghKvrS – 2:25 AM


@nuggets
“Be on our home floor and be in front of that crowd that is behind us” 🎙
We can’t wait to see you, Nuggets Nation 🫡 pic.twitter.com/cNtNDUeRfq – 2:10 AM

@highkin
We haven’t seen it in a while, but Thursday was a reminder that in addition to the two-time MVP the Nuggets have an end-of-game shotmaker every bit the threat Damian Lillard is, and he made the Blazers pay for lack of execution.
Up now on @RoseGardenReprt rosegardenreport.com/p/trail-blazer… – 2:09 AM

@nuggets
Final stats from tonight’s w in Portland pic.twitter.com/k3Dfjc80Te – 1:57 AM



@nuggets
Coach after tonight’s win in Portland 🎙 pic.twitter.com/qXRrcRORXe – 1:47 AM

@AaronJFentress
A frustrated Chauncey Billups when asked about Nurkic’s big game in 121-120 L to Denver:
“That’s fine but it doesn’t mean shit to me. We lost the game. I don’t care about stats or none of that. None of that stuff matters. We didn’t execute well enough to win the game.” #RipCity pic.twitter.com/6lt29MOUaj – 1:41 AM


@trailblazers
40 PTS | 9 3PM | 12 AST | 2 STL
#RipCity | @Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/hRvThqc88k – 1:33 AM

@BasketNews_com
Vlatko Cancar is an assist friend Nikola Jokic has dreamed about 💭
🎥 @NBATV pic.twitter.com/CApbsuYm0O – 1:32 AM


@katywinge
MURRAY MADNESS!!!!
@AltitudeTV @ChrisMarlowe @Denver Nuggets pic.twitter.com/u5ud3X6HNL – 1:07 AM


@highkin
Damian Lillard on Jamal Murray’s game-winner: “He hit a tough shot, and we still had a chance. He hit a tough shot to win it, but there were other things we could have done before to not be in that situation.” – 1:06 AM


@AaronJFentress
Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was as disappointed as I’ve seen him in two seasons following a 121-120 loss to the Nuggets. He said the defense on Murray’s final 3 was “terrible” given that a 3 was all that could beat them. #ripcity pic.twitter.com/9taVHHdTPB – 12:47 AM

@NBABlackburn
The best ways to describe Michael Malone’s feelings on Jamal Murray tonight would be extreme elation, proud, and vindicated.
He told a story today about Jamal asking him immediately following the ACL tear on April 12th, 2021 if they would trade him.
Malone said absolutely not. – 12:46 AM


@NBABlackburn
The best ways to describe Michael Malone’s feelings on Jamal Murray tonight would be extreme elation, proud, and vindicated.
He told a story today about Jamal asking him immediately following the ACL tear on April 12th, 2021.
Malone shot that down with haste. – 12:44 AM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Even if the Nuggets are healthy, Braun has to be in the rotation even if it means tightening up the reserve big rotation. If sometimes DeAndre Jordan or Jeff Green don’t play to add more perimeter defense, so be it. – 12:36 AM

@msinger
Michael Malone said Jamal Murray sent him a text after the Dallas loss and told him he needs to be better. – 12:36 AM

@highkin
Chauncey Billups: “Tough way to lose. A hard-fought game the whole way through. We had a bad start to the fourth quarter again. Murray hit a hell of a shot. Dame hit great shots to keep us in it.” – 12:35 AM


@LawMurrayTheNU
30-18 Nuggets run in last 9:53 at Portland to overcome an 11-point deficit
Nuggets vs Trail Blazers was within two points for the last seven minutes of the game.
Jamal Murray’s game-winner was the 13th go-ahead field goal of the 4th quarter (8th by Denver)
Incredible game – 12:34 AM

@Adam_Mares
Going to be a can’t-miss Winner’s Lounge. ❄️❄️
✅ Murray Flurry in the 2nd half
✅ Jokic Sombor Double
✅ Braun and Bones shine for the bench
youtu.be/p5muStFxPfw – 12:32 AM

@TJMcBrideNBA
That might have been a massive turning point for Denver.
They went from lifeless in the first quarter to gritty, but sloppy in the second quarter to an all-out sprint towards finding a way to win on the road in the second half capped off by an incredible Murray flurry. – 12:32 AM

@GMoneyNuggs
Forget Dame Time, Jamal Murray stepped up in a huge way to close this game. Finally let those blue arrows fly hesitation-free. The Nuggets needed this, but Jamal needed it even more.
Winning a duel with a hot Lillard down the stretch is how you shake off the cobwebs. – 12:30 AM


@JamieHudson_
Tough loss for the Blazers, but dang that was a very entertaining and hard-fought battle between Portland and Denver – 12:29 AM


@KendrickPerkins
Hell of win by the Nuggets. That’s why Jokic and Murray get paid the BIG BUCKS. Carry on… – 12:27 AM

@NBABlackburn
Final rotations for the Nuggets as they defeat the Blazers 121-120:
-Jamal Murray: 14 points in the 4th, game-winner, vintage stuff
-Nikola Jokić: 33-10-9 Sombor Double
-AG: 20 points on 12 shots
-Dame Lillard: Absolutely nutso. 40 and 12 pic.twitter.com/VUTMF54ZTt – 12:27 AM


@statmuse
Jokic tonight:
33 PTS
10 REB
9 AST
How many players have been better this season? pic.twitter.com/e70YN20Qgz – 12:27 AM


@briancmahoney
Lillard and Jamal Murray trading big shots down the stretch. Felt like a Bubble throwback tonight in Portland. Great win for the Nuggets. – 12:27 AM

@KevinOConnorNBA
Nuggets/Blazers finish was awesome. One of the games of the season. – 12:26 AM

@CHold
Nuggets 121, Blazers 120: FINAL. 40 points, 12 assists, 4 rebounds for @Damian Lillard. 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists for @Jusuf Nurkic. 18 points, 3 rebounds/assists for @Jerami Grant. 12 points, 6 rebounds for @Josh Hart. – 12:26 AM


@statmuse
Dame scored 14 of the Blazers last 16 points tonight.
He assisted the other 2.
Tough loss. pic.twitter.com/FTOd8L4b6t – 12:26 AM


@TJMcBrideNBA
That is exactly the win Denver needed to break out of this funk. Denver went into Portland and just grabbed a massive division win despite a lot of funkiness. – 12:26 AM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Jamal Murray just isolated Jerami Grant and roasted him alive on that step-back triple with Denver down 2 and less than a second remaining. That man is fearless. Incredible confidence from Murray on that shot. – 12:25 AM

@statmuse
Dame in the loss:
40 PTS
12 AST
9 3P
The most games with 9+ threes and 10+ assists all-time. pic.twitter.com/jI8KyzC9p3 – 12:25 AM


@msinger
Ballgame. Jamal Murray scores 14 in the fourth, including the game-winner. That snaps Denver’s three-game losing streak. – 12:25 AM

@statmuse
Jamal Murray tonight:
21 PTS
5 REB
8 AST
Game winner. pic.twitter.com/1epo60xgfn – 12:25 AM


@LawMurrayTheNU
Yeah I’m gonna ICYMI @TheAthletic on the Jamal Murray piece tonight after his game-winner in Portland
theathletic.com/3959313/2022/1… – 12:25 AM


@MrMichaelLee
The finish of this Nuggets-Blazers. Only for the ballers, shot makers & shot callers. Best game of the season. – 12:24 AM




@CHold
Murray stepback over Grant… is good. Nuggets 121, Blazers 120, 0.9 seconds to play. Portland ball after the timeout. – 12:23 AM

@AaronJFentress
Damian Lillard drills a deep three to give the Trail Blazers a 120-118 lead over Denver with 8.8 seconds remaining. #ripcity pic.twitter.com/KaGtHqGwVq – 12:22 AM

@DuvalierJohnson
Thought that it was getting late and I went to check — watch said “Dame time.”
What a performance! – 12:22 AM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Damian Lillard hunted Jamal Murray repeatedly in the second half of the fourth quarter and has scored at will when he got that matchup. – 12:22 AM

@John_Karalis
Damian Lillard. You knew it was coming and there’s nothing anyone could do about it – 12:22 AM

@CHold
Jokic push shot is off, Gordon gets the putback, Nuggets 118, Blazers 117. Dame. gets to his stepback at the Moda logo on the next possession, and it’s good. Blazers 120, Nuggets 118, 8.8 seconds to play, Denver ball after the timeout. – 12:22 AM








@trailblazers
CASH.
#RipCity | @Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/hur0ANBdfO – 12:20 AM

@CHold
Murray uses most of the clock, hits the baseline fadeaway. Nuggets 116, Blazers 115… Dame probes on the next possession, nothing there, gets it to Ant who gets to the free throw line extended and hits just his third field goal of the game. Blazers up 1 with 28.3 to play. – 12:20 AM



@TJMcBrideNBA
Credit where credit is due; that block by Nurkic was tremendous. – 12:19 AM



@CHold
Was just talking to @Evan Turner the about day about @Damian Lillard‘s ability to will a team to victory, and if Portland ends up pulling this one out… – 12:17 AM


@TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic is demoralizing to cover. What are you even supposed to do?
] – 12:17 AM

@NBABlackburn
Malone takes the “use it or lose it” timeout here. Nuggets need a big time play call. Down 1. – 12:12 AM

@nuggets
Blue Arrow to cut it within one with 7:07 in the 4️⃣
He’s got 16 🪣 pic.twitter.com/fUns86sQhp – 12:06 AM

@CHold
A lot of talk heading into this one about how bad Denver’s bench is but only one of their starters is in the plus — Murray at +14 — while their entire bench is. – 12:05 AM

@trailblazers
DR3W for McNuggets!
@McDonalds | https://t.co/tzChvWS9R3 pic.twitter.com/2Nl6Od170D – 12:04 AM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Jamal Murray went from barely having his impact felt on the game to dragging Denver back within one point. He goes from ice cold to molten lava about as fast as anyone in the league. – 12:03 AM

@CHold
A 12-2 Denver run cuts Portland’s lead to 104-103 with 7:07 to play. A less than ideal start to the fourth quarter for the home team. – 12:03 AM

@msinger
Jamal Murray’s awake. Could see it coming, too. Two giant 3-pointers, and it’s a 1-point game … and Joker’s checking in after the timeout. – 12:02 AM



@trailblazers
D.O.L.L.A. does it 🎯
#RipCity | @Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/hgRAKJruud – 11:56 PM


@trailblazers
4th quarter starts NOW!
#RipCity pic.twitter.com/mmJ8qt62us – 11:54 PM


@TJMcBrideNBA
Well, the Nuggets have not made any of the guards on the Trail Blazers feel even remotely uncomfortable. They’re walking into their spots 90% of the time. Really rough showing in the third quarter. – 11:53 PM

@HarrisonWind
Watch the 4th quarter of Nuggets-Blazers with us. I’m telling it how it is.
youtube.com/watch?v=2fx8Z-… – 11:53 PM

@CHold
Blazers 99, Nuggets 89: end of third quarter. 26 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds for @Damian Lillard. 21 points, 6 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 16 points, 2 assists for @Jerami Grant. 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists for @Josh Hart. – 11:52 PM

@NBABlackburn
Christian Braun is doing everything for the Nuggets defensively right now, but there’s just not enough guys coming with him to that party. – 11:51 PM


@NBABlackburn
Blazers come out in zone. Nuggets break it and score. Bones gets a tech for…something. – 11:46 PM


@trailblazers
D E N I E D
#RipCity | @Jusuf Nurkic pic.twitter.com/bsblb65lqO – 11:45 PM

@Adam_Mares
Dame caught AG slow on the switch earlier in the quarter and just now caught uncle Jeff doing the same thing. Lazy switches, two 3s. – 11:44 PM

@JamieHudson_
Ohh the way Dame held that follow through a bit longer. Love it – 11:44 PM

@NBABlackburn
Moda Center rocking. Dame hits his fifth three of the quarter. This one is spiraling.
Only Jokić and Gordon playing well offensively this quarter. – 11:43 PM

@CHold
Dame with his seventh three of the game gives Portland their largest lead of the night at 94-83 with 2:09 to play in the third quarter. – 11:43 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Blazers came out punching first and the Nuggets can’t get off their heels right now. Nurkic is punishing down low, Lillard is sniping, Grant is slicing to the rim, and Denver is facing a set defense every offensive possession. – 11:40 PM


@nuggets
We have a Joker deep bucket sighting 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Nr4dvSqAgp – 11:38 PM

@Tjonesonthenba
Blazers are getting whatever they want off Jokic in pick and roll
Nuggets are getting whatever they want off Nurkic in pick and roll
Which big decides to defend first? – 11:37 PM

@msinger
Aaron Gordon’s learned he’s stronger than 97% of his defensive matchups. – 11:35 PM

@trailblazers
💰 B2B 💰
#RipCity | @Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/KjlLHJlxft – 11:35 PM

@msinger
Christian Braun, the first Nugget off the bench in the second half. – 11:34 PM

@NBABlackburn
Nuggets are shooting a higher percentage on twos than they are at the free throw line again. – 11:28 PM



@TJMcBrideNBA
Denver found success when they had Gordon with two of Brown, KCP & Braun. They got Portland’s offense stuck in the mud &, with Jokic, they were able to space the floor enough to execute on offense.
I’d bet we see a lot more Braun I the second half + more Gordon. – 11:24 PM

@nuggets
Half time numbers 📊
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/8Ql5cUQNBR – 11:23 PM


@NBABlackburn
Nuggets allowed 9 offensive rebounds in that first half. Six came from the bench, including 4 from Justise Winslow by himself.
If Denver can’t protect the glass. They will certainly lose tonight. Too much working against them otherwise. – 11:22 PM

@nuggets
AG doin’ his thang in the first half as well 💪
15 PTS (75 FG%, 100 3P%) and 3 REB pic.twitter.com/wlwoo3iJyY – 11:20 PM



@DLocke09
Against +.500 teams
Boston 14-2
Milwaukee 9-3
UTAH JAZZ 12-6
Phoenix 9-5
Cleveland 8-5
Dallas 9-6
Brooklyn 10-8
Toronto 7-5
Washington 7-5
Portland 8-7 – 11:20 PM

@nuggets
Joker making some buckets in the first half 🔥
20 PTS (66.7 FG%) pic.twitter.com/3rPQJSh5cN – 11:16 PM

@DuvalierJohnson
Nuggets down 64-63 heading into the half against the Trailblazers
Jokic leads all scorers with 20 points & is aggressive.
Gordon is also making an impact and finishing around the rim. He has 15 points.
3rd qtr upcoming —
If you’re Malone, whats your message to the team? – 11:13 PM

@nuggets
Close ball game in Portland
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/DKltUSOIYa – 11:11 PM


@trailblazers
Flicks from the 1st half 📸
#RipCity pic.twitter.com/vaVnd5ZHBl – 11:11 PM





@TJMcBrideNBA
Aaron Gordon is on pace for a 30-piece.
At halftime, he is up to 15 points on 6-8 shooting and 2-2 from deep. He is also defending his ass off and bullying anyone in the paint. – 11:10 PM


@WorldWideWob
Jokic calls for defensive three seconds on Nurk, gets him out of paint, goes to work.
https://t.co/lvI3b5u0sd pic.twitter.com/tCZu9FdN1k – 11:09 PM


@NBABlackburn
Halftime rotations for the Nuggets as they trail the Blazers 64-63:
-Joker: 20-6-5. He can do whatever he wants right now. Some of the early TOVs weren’t on him
-AG: 15 points, aggressive on both ends, really good
-Bones: 10 points, 2 assists, and a mean 35-footer pic.twitter.com/Hlub4nOovy – 11:09 PM


@Adam_Mares
Nuggets struggled to find a rhythm early on but got going in the 2nd quarter. Offensive battle between two fun, offensive teams.
64-63 Blazers at the half. – 11:08 PM

@CHold
Blazers 64, Nuggets 63: halftime. 12 points, 2 rebounds for @Jusuf Nurkic. 12 points, 1 rebound for @Jerami Grant. 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists for @Josh Hart. 8 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds for @Damian Lillard. – 11:08 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Nikola Jokic’s scoring is on another level right now. He’s up to 20 points on 8-12 shooting to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists at halftime.
He had 5 early turnovers, but has cleaned up his game since the first quarter.
Nuggets trail Portland 64-63. – 11:08 PM

@msinger
When Joker and Jamal’s pick-and-roll dance leaves AG open in the dunker spot >>>>> – 11:07 PM

@CHold
Dame’s career high for assists in a game is 16, though he’s already got 9 tonight in 18 minutes… – 11:06 PM



@TJMcBrideNBA
Powerful offensive rebound and finish by Aaron Gordon. He is bullying everyone this year. – 11:03 PM

@Adam_Mares
The first ever fake Sombor Shuffle from Jokic. Shame it didn’t result in a bucket. – 11:01 PM

@NBABlackburn
Joker just tried a fake Sombor Shuffle on Jusuf Nurkić. I don’t know, but I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen that. – 11:01 PM

@Adam_Mares
Bones is so dynamic on offense. Elite handle, great shooter, lightning quick first step, and really good feel in the PnR. – 11:00 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic already has 14-5-4 with just under 5 minutes left in the first half and it feels like a B- game from him so far at best. We are spoiled. – 11:00 PM

@GMoneyNuggs
Me: Nuggets are playing like hot garbage
Nuggets: *go on 14-5 run to take the lead*
Me: do I look like a sucker? The third quarter is still coming, don’t take me for a mark.
Jokic: *looks feisty*
Me: …okay fine, yes, go Nuggets. – 11:00 PM


@trailblazers
D.O.L.L.A.
#RipCity | @Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/JOLkPF6SpX – 10:58 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
What an incredible closeout by Gordon on Grant. Smothered the air out of his shot.
This KCP-Brown-Gordon trio has great defensive potential and when Jokic joins them, the offense has a ton of firepower too. They have been great. – 10:58 PM

@highkin
As good as the first quarter was for Portland, that’s how bad the second has been. – 10:57 PM

@CHold
Blazers don’t have a single clean catch in the game thus far and the Nuggets have converted 8 turnovers into 13 points and have a 53-48 lead with a little over 5 minutes to play in the first half. – 10:57 PM



@TJMcBrideNBA
Good Christian Braun minutes so far. He is giving great defensive effort, closing out to shooters perfectly, containing on the perimeter and finding gaps as an off-ball scorer on offense. He fits his role so perfectly. – 10:55 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Because of the Nuggets lifeless start, they have no rhythm even as their effort increases. This game evolved from lackadaisical to ugly. – 10:52 PM


@trailblazers
CLEAR THE WAY !!
@Justise Winslow x @Drew Eubanks pic.twitter.com/GUFPVukAYP – 10:52 PM

@Adam_Mares
Nuggets look like they are battling but they are just in a funk. Can’t find a rhythm on either end of the floor for more than a possession or two. – 10:51 PM

@NBABlackburn
Jamal just threw a turnover to nowhere, and DeAndre Jordan’s reaction on the other end after the timeout pretty much confirms that he was supposed to slip the screen there. – 10:51 PM


@GMoneyNuggs
Just got a “that ball is poppin'” from Kevin Calabro on the Blazers broadcast, @Adam Mares. Your contributions to the Association continue. – 10:47 PM

@NBABlackburn
Michael Malone was so close to calling timeout on so many instances. Everything FEELS horrible, so I get it.
Right now, it’s the Blazers offensive rebounding. Just a million extra opportunities. – 10:46 PM

@GMoneyNuggs
Live look at the Nuggets after that first quarter. Being down by just 6 after one is a gift as they were sleepwalking through much of the frame. pic.twitter.com/OsTYjfouKg – 10:43 PM

@trailblazers
Instant impact 🎯
#RipCity | @Keon Johnson pic.twitter.com/AyWivlkIpc – 10:42 PM

@nuggets
Second quarter on the way
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/LIs89XdQhi – 10:42 PM



@trailblazers
SHAE SOARIN’
#RipCity | @Shaedon Sharpe pic.twitter.com/jhmxYw6Nvs – 10:40 PM

@CHold
Blazers 36, Nuggets 30: end of first quarter. 12 points, 2 rebound for @Jerami Grant. 6 points, 2 rebounds for @Josh Hart. 3 points, 4 assists for @Damian Lillard. POR shooting 52 percent, DEN 55 percent. – 10:39 PM


@TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets struggle mightily in the first 8 minutes of the first quarter or so and it led to them finishing out the quarter with a six-point deficit.
Blazers lead 36-30. – 10:39 PM

@msinger
I *think* Christian Braun is starting the second quarter.
Malone, understandably, hated the way that quarter ended. Blazers up 36-30 after Denver turns it over six times. Joker, who had five of the TOs, has a team-high 12 points. – 10:39 PM

@NBABlackburn
The Nuggets were basically outplayed in every single way that counts, saved by some And-1’s from Nikola Jokić and threes from Aaron Gordon.
This is hard to watch honestly. There’s just no soul. – 10:38 PM

@nuggets
Friends helpin friends out
Vlatko ➡️ Joker pic.twitter.com/MZSIX9lV2Y – 10:37 PM

@highkin
Keon Johnson checks in for the first time since November 5 in Phoenix. Missed the last 14 games with a hip pointer. – 10:37 PM

@nuggets
Friends helpin friends out
Vlatko ➡️ Joker pic.twitter.com/usVqTobgZq – 10:37 PM

@nuggets
Friends helpin friends out
Vlatko ➡️ Joker pic.twitter.com/m2hhDDEP8D – 10:36 PM



@TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic is getting angry and just outright attacking. He is injecting the energy Denver needs himself. – 10:34 PM


@AaronJFentress
Blazers have eight assist nine minutes into the game. Lead 29-20 over Denver. Lillard has 4. Jerami Grant has 12 points. – 10:31 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets have no urgency so far tonight. They are just floating through defensive coverages, getting back on defense slowly, and getting into offensive sets without much intent. – 10:31 PM

@highkin
Nikola Jokic has now surpassed the number of field-goal attempts he had against Portland the first time they played. – 10:30 PM

@trailblazers
OH JERAMI, OH JERAMI
#RipCity | @Jerami Grant pic.twitter.com/K0spVRcBUv – 10:29 PM

@highkin
At this point it’s an upset when Jerami Grant misses a catch-and-shoot three. – 10:28 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Vlatko Cancar just a step slower than the pace of play and it’s really hurting Denver. – 10:27 PM


@GMoneyNuggs
I am once again asking the Nuggets to play like they give a damn, and also maybe take care of the ball. – 10:26 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Vlatko Cancer just a step slower than the pace of play and it’s really hurting Denver. – 10:25 PM

@msinger
Denver’s turnovers (again) fueling Portland’s offense. That’s 3 for 6 pts halfway through the first. Jerami Grant playing like … he deserved more playing time in Denver? – 10:25 PM


@TJMcBrideNBA
Vlatko Cancer is the first man off the bench for the Nuggets tonight in Portland. – 10:23 PM


@TJMcBrideNBA
No idea how the hell Aaron Gordon just dunked that. Wildly impressive power under the rim by him once again. Oh, and he his a triple a minute or two earlier. He has been so good recently. – 10:21 PM


@NBABlackburn
Wow, Aaron Gordon just made a “holy shit” dunk in traffic over Jerami Grant. That was impressive.
Jamal has started slow once again. Missing make-able shots early. Denver’s defense hasn’t been great either. Blazers just missing. – 10:20 PM

@TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets are back to playing a drop on defense which is an interesting choice against a team featuring Dame and Simons playing in the high pick and roll. It’s working so far, but there is some volatility to that scheme. – 10:17 PM

@VBenedetto
The Nuggets start the game in Portland with four straight stops (with some help from Josh Hart). Nikola Jokic has the game’s first four points. – 10:13 PM

@msinger
Bruce Bowen has come out of retirement and now plays for the #Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/ZuugVoZJyA – 10:12 PM

@NBABlackburn
Yo, it is an absolute party in here. Portland game ops deserves a ton of credit. The atmosphere here is incredible. – 10:11 PM

@DuvalierJohnson
DNVR Nuggets Watch Along — come hang with your boy as we watch and discuss the Nuggets game LIVE! Come on over!!
youtu.be/2fx8Z–ZPP4 via @YouTube – 10:10 PM

@trailblazers
Welcome back, @Keon Johnson ❤️
#RipCity pic.twitter.com/nk3BmHPZ9k – 10:09 PM


@TJMcBrideNBA
There are two specifics things I am looking for from the Nuggets in Portland tonight:
1. Can Denver minimize their turnovers?
2. How do the Nuggets — specifically Jamal Murray — handle the high pick and roll of the Trail Blazers? – 10:04 PM


@NBABlackburn
ICYMI, a conversation with Jamal Murray about where he’s at physically and mentally ahead of tonight’s game:
milehighsports.com/jamal-murray-k… – 10:01 PM

@CHold
Dame wearing the @adidas Basketball Dame Certified, a secondary silhouette of his signature line, in tonight’s game (I think for the first time?) – 10:00 PM

@katywinge
Coming at you from Portland! It’s @ChrisMarlowe and myself on @AltitudeTV with @Chris Dempsey roaming the sidelines. See you soon! pic.twitter.com/nkk6TZcPFU – 9:56 PM


@msinger
Joker-Nurk-Vlatko. What are they saying? pic.twitter.com/6UOtZxfDa2 – 9:49 PM




@nuggets
Hear what Coach has to say before tipoff 🎙
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/Mo5Kk8yDli – 9:16 PM

@NBABlackburn
Welcome into Moda Center once again. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are warming up now. Should be a good environment tonight. pic.twitter.com/efwxWSHqjD – 9:12 PM

@NBABlackburn
Also, had an opp. to ask Chauncey Billups a question about Joker only attempting 4 shots last time these two teams matched up and if that was by design.
“Well, I’m not gonna tell you our game plan,” he joked.
Said he never looks at stats when evaluating Nikola Jokić. – 8:59 PM

@trailblazers
Coach Billups on Brittney Griner 🧡 pic.twitter.com/bJQ8NOkBdv – 8:56 PM

@katywinge
Michael Porter Jr did not travel on this trip with Denver. Coach Malone said there’s no timetable on his return. Right now the focus is just doing what they can to “calm down the heel.” – 8:47 PM

@NBABlackburn
Michael Malone pregame on the importance of preventing runs from the opposition:
“One of the things that we have to do a better job of: when we hit a rough patch, our resiliency, our mental toughness probably isn’t where it needs to be.”
Said Lillard/Simons would test that. – 8:46 PM

@trailblazers
🎯 🎯 🎯
#RipCity | @Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/5A2eqazVuf – 8:38 PM

@msinger
Michael Malone says there’s still no timeline or timeframe on MPJ.
The TNT broadcast suggested he could be back within a week. Malone said no timeline has been conveyed to him.
Porter didn’t make the one-game trip to Portland. This will be his 8th straight game being out. – 8:34 PM


@highkin
Chauncey Billups on Nikola Jokic: “He can beat you shooting four times because he might have 18 assists. … I never look at the numbers when it comes to Joker, because he plays with a spirit that’s dangerous.” – 8:26 PM

@AaronJFentress
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups expressed how happy he is that Brittney Griner is returning to the United States. He praised the WNBA for never giving up the fight. #ripcity pic.twitter.com/RIrV7mdwjV – 8:19 PM


@trailblazers
👁️👁️
#RipCity | @Anfernee Simons pic.twitter.com/ATuGmzn8TQ – 8:18 PM


@BGeltzNBA
Join @chrismilestv @TimDoyle00 and me tonight on the @NBA app on tonight’s @nbabet stream of the @Portland Trail Blazers vs the @Denver Nuggets presented by @DKSportsbook starting at 10PM ET pic.twitter.com/7Q2BoUTsFy – 7:23 PM


@nuggets
What’s going to be the final score 🤔
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/5UqG9cSAYt – 6:58 PM


@nuggets
This week, AG dropped by our family basketball clinic with @UCHealth to help out with drills and give a few pointers 👏
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/2ZkSyuf7B8 – 5:42 PM






@statmuse
Top 4:
Mikal Bridges
Dorian Finney-Smith
Spencer Dinwiddie
Jerami Grant
Guess the stat. pic.twitter.com/pl76wtIbjh – 5:33 PM





@katywinge
I asked Jamal Murray this morning after shootaround what he’s thinking about now when he plays versus pre-injury. Here’s a glimpse inside the mind of Murray: pic.twitter.com/4kuNC3qMZD – 5:28 PM

@katywinge
Game day in Portland sneakin’ up on us liiiiikkeeee @BizzyBones11 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/GOr3ViyLou – 4:30 PM

@NBABlackburn
NEW for @MileHighSports:
Had a chance to chat with Jamal Murray today after shootaround. He opened up a bit on his struggles and what the ACL recovery looks like right now.
“There’s so many things going on in my head.”
On Murray re-learning hoops ⬇️
milehighsports.com/jamal-murray-k… – 4:17 PM


@statmuse
Anfernee Simons has made more threes this season than
Donovan Mitchell
Trae Young
Buddy Hield
Jayson Tatum
Luka Doncic
Kevin Huerter
Jordan Poole
Jaylen Brown
Kevin Durant
while playing in fewer games than all of them. pic.twitter.com/M4yzY3Vpn5 – 3:57 PM



@nuggets
Roster Update: We have transferred Jack White to the @NBAGrandRapids.
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/rB3CsgfHjV – 3:09 PM



@katywinge
Here’s Aaron Gordon sticking around after shootaround to get some extra makes up. 14 in a row to be exact.
Gordon is shooting 40% from three this season, the best in his career so far. pic.twitter.com/eVbx1vmpfc – 2:53 PM

@OlehKosel
“I woke up the next day and looked at myself and said, ‘Jose you really scored that much points in the NBA.’” — @AlvaradoJose15 just told @adaniels33 on @Sirius XM NBA about how he reacted to dropping the 38-point bomb on the Nuggets. – 2:44 PM

@NBABlackburn
Spoke to Jamal Murray just now. He admitted that there’s still some hesitancy and that he still doesn’t know how aggressive he can/should be in the process coming back from the ACL.
Will have an article up soon. – 2:38 PM

@NBABlackburn
Greetings from Portland! @MileHighSports here. pic.twitter.com/ez77TFmUc0 – 2:22 PM


@trailblazers
GPII is a national treasure 🤣❤️
#RipCity | @Gary Payton II pic.twitter.com/OK6WpLJadO – 2:18 PM

@msinger
Brand new #Nuggets Ink pod:
• What exactly happened over the weekend & why, I think, the ATL & NOLA losses are ultimately a good thing
• Bones’ benching + bounceback
• Requisite MPJ/Jamal talk
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Via @TvEvoca @denverpost @MattDSchubert
denverpost.com/2022/12/08/mic… – 1:54 PM

@highkin
Something kind of wild to consider: at the end of December/the 2022 calendar year, the Blazers will have already played half of their road schedule (21 games) for the year. – 1:48 PM


@treykerby
I challenge anyone to make a better NBA starting 5 with consecutive birthdays:
MJ — Feb. 17
Kirilenko — Feb. 18
Jokic — Feb. 19
Barkley — Feb. 20
Francis — Feb. 21 – 12:52 PM

@trailblazers
Back in action!
🏀 #RipCity vs. @Denver Nuggets
🏟️ @ModaCenter
⌚️ 7:00PM PT
📺 @ROOTSPORTS_NW
📻 @RipCityRadio620 pic.twitter.com/l4O2cv5Tsh – 12:46 PM





@MFollowill
After hitting the game winning 3 with 27 seconds left in Tuesday’s win over Denver, Dorian Finney-Smith joined us on the telecast. The league leader in corner 3s attempted knocked one down from up top to give the Mavs the win, and as always a great visit with him after! pic.twitter.com/ZmlUQVk8z6 – 11:43 AM

@nuggets
Gameday in Rip City
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/zOlKcsAKlQ – 11:25 AM


@kerryeggers
The second leg of Bill Schonely’s book tour is Thursday December 8th at our partner’s store, @Cutsforths in Canby.
The legendary former voice of the Trail Blazers will sign copies of his new book, “Wherever You May Be … Now: The Bill Schonely Story,” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. pic.twitter.com/BHaLzdfClM – 10:30 AM



@DaneMooreNBA
Tentative pod schedule for next few days…
– Thursday afternoon with @Britt Robson
– Friday morning with @KyleTheige
– Sunday morning with @KyleTheige (will be in Portland covering the game, so adding a weekend pod)
– Monday morning w/ @ChristopherHine (we’ll both be in Portland) – 10:11 AM

@basketballtalk
PBT Podcast: Lakers, Clippers, and Nikola Jokic as Beethoven nba.nbcsports.com/2022/12/08/pbt… – 9:39 AM

@DWolfsonKSTP
The #Rockets, #Raptors, #Grizzlies, #Nuggets, and #Cavs are expected to have scouting representation at the Barn tonight for #Gophers vs. Michigan. Another chance to watch Dawson Garcia, Jamison Battle, Jett Howard, and others. pic.twitter.com/zsa95zhpxm – 9:26 AM

@NBABlackburn
DEN ✈️ PDX to cover tonight’s game.
At the gate right now. AMA early crowd… – 9:23 AM

@SeanGrandePBP
Heading into the Finals rematch on Saturday…
NBA – +/- LEADERS
1. TATUM, BOS +245
2. WHITE, BOS +188
3. Holiday, Mil +180
4. Jokic, Den +169
5. Osman, Cle +165
6. CURRY, GSW +154
7. GREEN, GSW +151
10. SMART, BOS +138
11. BROWN, BOS +137
15. HAUSER, BOS +127 – 2:18 AM

@SeanGrandePBP
Celtics currently have four of the NBA’s top 10 3-point shooters, plus a Kelly O sighting…
NBA – 3-POINT SHOOTING
1. BROGDON, BOS
2. Lee, Phx
3. G. WILLIAMS, BOS
4. Ingram, NO
5. HORFORD, BOS
6. Grant, Por
7. Caldwell-Pope, Den
7. Kispert, Was
9. Olynyk, Utah
10. HAUSER, BOS – 2:11 AM