Series
Latest Sporzzio coverage and playoff reads for Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers.
Team Pulse
San Antonio's Portland closeout gave Spurs fans a real defensive baseline. The next read is whether that paint control survives when Denver or Minnesota makes Victor Wembanyama choose between the rim, the short roll, the glass and foul trouble.
Debate
San Antonio earned a real patience win by reaching the second round without paying a superstar price. The useful question now is whether the retained core survives the next matchup well enough to keep the front office from reopening the trade file.
Team Pulse
Denver's move into the 3 seed matters. The overtime escape against Portland matters too, and not in the flattering way. The late-game trust question is still sitting there.