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Portland Trail Blazers: 4 key matchups in playoff series v Denver Nuggets

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 24: Carmelo Anthony #00, Derrick Jones Jr. #55 and Robert Covington #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers react in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Moda Center on January 24, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 24: Carmelo Anthony #00, Derrick Jones Jr. #55 and Robert Covington #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers react in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Moda Center on January 24, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Matchup #3 – Robert Covington and Michael Porter Jr

Michael Porter Jr is clearly the Nuggets second best player, so it’s apt that he will be matching up with the Blazers best perimeter defender.

Porter Jr was elevated to the second option when Murray went down injured, and since then, he has been on a tear. Like the second coming of Kevin Durant, Porter Jr is the league’s next great jumbo shooter.

His averages since the All-Star break show just how much he has grown in the last 12 months.

22 points, 7 rebounds, 56 percent from the field, and 46 percent from three.

Porter will now have the microscope on him in the playoffs, where he will be targetted in the pick and roll and run off the three-point line. The Blazers coaching will try and push him to make plays off the bounce, and to see how he can defend out on the floor against the likes of Dame and CJ McCollum.

For Covington, his defense will be key throughout the playoffs. The Blazers three-guard closing lineup isn’t the best defensively, so Covington will be key to shutting down perimeter threats like Porter.

Covington’s shooting will also be key. Because McCollum and Dame attract double teams, Covington often gets open shots. He will need to play All-NBA defense and can his open jumpers to truly maximize his opportunities.

Covington started the year slowly but heated up as the year went on. He also showed some nice playmaking at times too. Though he only had 11 percent usage in the regular season, it was his help defense on the end which made massive plays at key times.

With Jokic playing away from the basket and drawing big man Nurkic away from the rim, it will be Covington’s job to help and protect the rim at times. His great hands will be key to getting deflections and steals on that end as the Blazers try to improve their defense from an all-time worst 29th.