Denver Nuggets (54-28, second in the Western Conference during the regular season) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (53-29, third in the Western Conference during the regular season)
Portland; Thursday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Denver leads series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Denver Nuggets look to clinch the series over the Portland Trail Blazers in game six of the Western Conference second round. The Nuggets won the previous meeting 124-98. Nikola Jokic scored 25 points to help lead Denver to the victory and Damian Lillard scored 22 points in the loss for Portland.
The Trail Blazers are 6-10 in division play. Portland ranks second in the Western Conference in rebounding averaging 48 rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic leads the Trail Blazers with 10.4 boards.
The Nuggets are 12-4 against opponents from the Northwest Division. Denver ranks sixth in the league allowing 106.7 points and holding opponents to 45.8 percent shooting.
TOP PERFORMERS: Lillard is shooting 44.4 percent and averaging 25.8 points. CJ McCollum has averaged 24 points and totaled 5.4 rebounds while shooting 43.1 percent over the last 10 games for Portland.
Jokic leads the Nuggets averaging 7.3 assists while scoring 20.1 points per game. Jamal Murray has averaged 21.6 points and added 4.1 rebounds while shooting 45.7 percent over the last 10 games for Denver.
DURING THE PLAYOFFS: Nuggets: Averaging 110.3 points, 47.8 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.9 points on 45.1 percent shooting.
Trail Blazers: Averaging 111.5 points, 46.2 rebounds, 18.5 assists, 7.4 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.4 points on 44.2 percent shooting.
Trail Blazers Injuries: Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (leg fracture).
Nuggets Injuries: Michael Porter Jr.: out (back).
