Blazers pull off the upset in Game 1 | Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trailblazers Game 1 Recap

 Blazers pull off the upset in Game 1 

The Blazers beat the MVP of the league and the Denver Nuggets in game 1. Carmelo Anthony provided a big boost off the bench against his former team and Damian Lillard had 34 points and 13 assists. CJ McCollum chipped in with 21 points. The Blazers held Nikola Jokic, the MVP, to just 1 assist compared to his season average of 8.4 assists per game.

Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 34 PTS and 13 AST, while Carmelo Anthony added 18 PTS (4 3PM). Nikola Jokic paced the Nuggets with 34 PTS and 16 REB, while Michael Porter Jr. contributed 25 PTS and 9 REB.

1. Nikola Jokic has to keep up his assisting game. He has to average at least 8 assists in the playoffs. The only playmaker they have after him is Facundo Campazzo who is not the guy who averages 10 points and 10 assists.

2. Denver has to up it's defensive game and stop Damian Lillard without giving up too many assists as was the case in game 1.

3. The 3-point shooting and defense has to be better as they shot just 30.6% on 36 shots and the Blazers shot 47% on 40 attempts. The Nuggets made 8 less 3PT FG than the Trailblazers.

The Nuggets have to take Game 2 so that the Blazers don't go away with the series win.