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Sean Highkin: Robert Williams III is out on the back-to-back as usual and Vit Krejci is out with a left calf contusion. Tiago Splitter said he’s hopefully it’s not anything serious but Krejci got hit last night in Philly and said he couldn’t play today.
Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter said after the Hawks game that Deni Avdija is “probably” returning soon. Now he’s upgraded to questionable for tomorrow in Memphis.
Then, the Nuggets caught fire, handing Portland its worst loss of the season by far: 157-103. “One of our worst games of the season,” Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter said. “The Nuggets had a sense of urgency to win this game. They lost last night, I think 3 of their last 5 games. And coming off the break, we were just not ready.” Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Denver (36-21) hit 13 of its 22 attempts (59%) from three in the first half and buried the Blazers (27-30), who simply couldn’t keep up offensively throughout a dismal night at Moda Center. Playing on the second of a back-to-back after losing to the Clippers on Thursday night, the Nuggets scored 82 in the first half against Portland — the second-most in a half in franchise history. 157 points is the most scored in a road game in Nuggets history and the most by any NBA team this season. It was the most the team has ever scored in regulation: a 184-point outburst in a loss against the Pistons in 1983 included three overtimes.
Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter on Sidy Cissoko getting an NBA contract: “He deserves it. He’s helped us so much. He’s gotten better in every aspect of the game.”
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Joe Freeman: Injury notes tonight for the Blazers, according to Tiago Splitter: •Blake Wesley will return tonight vs. the Cavaliers, playing in his first game since Halloween. •Deni Avdija is expected to play. •Scoot Henderson should make his season-debut "very, very soon."
Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter on Vit Krejci: “We’re ‘thirsty’ for a shooter like that.”
Sean Highkin: Blake Wesley is officially in. Deni Avdija is “probably” playing per Tiago Splitter.
Sean Highkin: Deni Avdija is once again listed as "Questionable" for today against the Wizards. Tiago Splitter said last night that he expects him to play. Programming note: My flight to DC was cancelled so I'm stranded in Boston today and going to New York tomorrow.
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In his postgame media presser of the Portland Trail Blazers' 127-110 win over the Miami Heat, interim coach Tiago Splitter revealed that he was primarily responsible for deactivating Avdija in the Thursday game. Avdija wanted to return, but Splitter opted for the precautionary approach due to the Blazers star's sudden back stiffness. "I think he'll be fine," Splitter said, noting he expects Avdija to play on Friday against the Toronto Raptors (via Joe Freeman of The Oregonian).
Sean Highkin: Splitter on Scoot: "He's progressing. Everybody's a little frustrated, but it's a tough injury where people tend to have a second injury. So we've got to be careful with him. He's a big part of our franchise, so we've got to protect him. He's feeling better day by day."
Sean Highkin: Scoot Henderson was running full-court sprints at the end of practice today. Tiago Splitter says he’s improving but they’re trying to be careful and avoid re-injury.
Sean Highkin: Tiago Splitter says Jerami Grant is good to go tonight. It will be a similar deal to Jrue — he won’t start and will be on a minutes restriction. Also says Deni Avdija is “getting better” and considered day-to-day.