Nuggets fall to Trail Blazers in NBA Cup, host Kings on Monday

The Denver Nuggets fell 109-107 to the Portland Trail Blazers in NBA Cup group play on Friday night at the Moda Center and will return home Monday to host the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena as they seek to regroup. The Nuggets, 3-2 on the season, dropped their most recent outing after a tight contest in Portland and face a Kings team that has struggled early and entered Monday at 2-4.

Friday’s loss to Portland extended Denver’s recent inconsistency after an earlier three-game winning streak. Nikola Jokic was the primary statline for Denver, finishing with 21 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists, according to game reports. Jamal Murray has been managing left calf tightness this season and was listed as questionable heading into the Portland game; he is listed as probable for Monday’s matchup. Forward Cameron Johnson is also listed as probable with shoulder inflammation.

Portland’s fast-paced attack has been a feature of its season so far and it produced the Cup upset in a closely contested game. The Trail Blazers have been without several regulars this season, including Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle and Scoot Henderson, but have still produced efficient offense in group play....