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Pre-Game: Portland Trail Blazers open up vs the Denver Nuggets

DENVER, CO - MAY 12: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers congratulates Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets after the game during Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MAY 12: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers congratulates Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets after the game during Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers open up their NBA season by welcoming the Denver Nuggets to town. I preview the action, here.

Basketball is back! More importantly, our Portland Trail Blazers are back! Following a trip to the Western Conference Finals in May, Damian Lillard and the Blazers return with new faces, new goals, and a season opener that will have them chomping at the bit.

After CJ McCollum sent them packing in Game 7 last May, Denver will still be licking their wounds, and looking for revenge on Wednesday evening. Opening with a game of this caliber provides a terrific opportunity to lay down an early statement victory, and get the attention of conference rivals right off the bat. Dame and CJ will know this, but so will Nikola Jokic — the Portland defense will have to be smart and patient if they stand a chance of slowing the Serbian superstar down.

Here’s everything you need to know to follow along with the action at the Moda Center in Portland.

Time: 7:00 p.m. PT
Watch: NBC Sports Northwest, ESPN

Following Tuesday’s final practice before tip-off the following evening, Damian Lillard seemed calm and prepared, stating “All that’s left to do is play”.

The Trail Blazers went 1-3 against the Nuggets last year, but turned the tables in the playoffs, and will be hoping to carry this momentum through to the season opener. This will also be the first chance for Blazer fans to see new additions such as Hassan Whiteside, Kent Bazemore and Mario Hezonja in action. Whiteside will have a tricky start, pairing up with Jokic, but this will serve as a good eye-test for any fans on the fence about the new player.

Portland will need to defend the perimeter extremely well, handle the ball with care, and get a solid input from the second unit. Dame and CJ should get theirs, but in a game vs a team of Denver’s caliber, the Blazers will need a couple of role players to step up.

With the Moda Center rocking, I see the Blazers edging out Denver in their season opener, with Lillard making a statement and going off for 30+ points, while Portland gets off to the perfect start to a successful season.