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The Denver Nuggets have had a season filled with "worst losses of the season" moments and tonight's game against the Portland Trail Blazers was a contender for that list.
After a horrible loss against the lowly Washington Wizards, Denver found some momentum after going on a three-game winning streak against the Hawks, Clippers, and Kings. It seemed like the team found its groove again, but that all came to a halt after they lost to the 8-18 Portland Trail Blazers tonight.
In the final seconds of the game, Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons made what looked to be the easiest buzzer-beater game-winning layup over Russell Westbrook to finish the game.
ANFERNEE SIMONS GAME WINNER.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 20, 2024
pic.twitter.com/cbpoQLSI0A
"I'm just blessed that it went in for sure," Simons said. "End of the game, can't be afraid to fail like I always say. Those are the moments that we live for playing as little kids. Just blessed man, thank God.
“These are the moments we live for”
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 20, 2024
Postgame interview brought to you by @brightsidewindo pic.twitter.com/TYWhI0lvaH
Simons finished the night with 28 points, 10 assists, and 1 rebounds on 55/36/67 shooting from the field. To make matters worse for the Nuggets, they were playing their full starting lineup against the Trail Blazers tonight. If tonight's game wasn't a wake up call to the team that either a major move needs to be made, or the team needs to start putting more effort on the defensive end, then there won't be one.
More must-reads:
- Warriors still positioning themselves for Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster
- Warriors' Stephen Curry believes NBA players are 'underpaid'
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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Warriors' Stephen Curry believes NBA players are 'underpaid'
Are NBA players underpaid? Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry argues yes. The greatest shooter in NBA history said Thursday on Complex’s “360 With Speedy” that because the league’s current CBA doesn’t allow for current players to invest in league and team equity, players are leaving money on the table. “I would say, yes, we are underpaid,” Curry admitted when asked, despite enormous salaries, if the players were getting short-changed, “because you wanna be able to participate in that rise [of equity].” “It’s a partnership with ownership, [and] it’s a partnership with the league,” the 37-year-old stressed, revealing that league salaries do not reflect players’ impact on team valuations. If anyone has the right to begrudge the current CBA on player participation in equity, it’s Curry. When drafted in 2009, the Warriors were worth $315 million. Current valuations in May of 2025 have the team at $9.4 billion, the most in the league. Curry’s been paid handsomely during his time in Golden State, and he doesn’t overlook it. “I know we’re blessed to be in a position where we’re playing basketball for a living, and these are the type of checks that people are earning,” he told Complex. However, when he signed his $62.6 million one-year extension in 2024 that would keep him in a Warriors’ jersey until 2027, many felt that no amount of money the franchise could offer him would represent his worth. Curry had an undeniable impact on the Warriors’ valuation increasing by nearly 3,000%. He’s benefited by being the most salaried player on the roster and plenty of endorsement deals. But is he getting his fair share? Something similar may happen with reigning NBA Finals MVP and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just signed the richest contract in league history with an average annual value of $71.25 million. According to Forbes, the Thunder’s valuation increased 20% from 2023 to 2024 and will likely take another jump after this year’s championship. Curry concedes that player participation in equity isn’t a simple concept and not all markets are created equal: “You got competitive advantage considerations…and want every market to have a fair chance, like I get all that.” He believes, however, that finding a solution is a “mutually beneficial proposition” for players, teams and the league. Even the most expensive people in the world need to find other investors to make owning an NBA team possible. The best example of Curry’s point is the Boston Celtics sale in March. The most-championed franchise in league history was sold to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, the largest ever sports franchise sale in North America at the time. Chisholm needed Rob Hale, Bruce Beal Jr., and private equity firm Sixth Street, to afford the purchase. Because team ownership is already a multi-investor operation, the league could potentially come to an agreement with the players by the next CBA negotiation at the end of the decade. If not, the league's best players will continue to simultaneously earn a ridiculous amount of money, and it will not be nearly enough.
Important trade stalls as Maple Leafs dangle bottom-six forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking for a solution to their bottom-six surplus, and veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok remains at the center of trade discussions. However, according to The Fourth Period, trade talks surrounding the 33-year-old winger have failed to gain momentum. They write: “He has a $2.1M cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list. The market hasn’t been vibrant, to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.” Why can’t the Maple Leafs find a taker for Jarnkrok? Jarnkrok has quietly been on the trade block for much of the offseason, but general manager Brad Treliving has yet to find a taker. After adding several depth forwards this summer, the Leafs now face a crowded bottom six — and Jarnkrok’s age, injury history and $2.1M cap hit through 2025–26 aren’t helping his value. Since joining Toronto, Jarnkrok has appeared in only 71 games over two seasons, scoring a modest 28 points. While his defensive versatility and penalty-killing ability are assets, his declining offensive production and durability concerns have made teams wary. With training camp approaching, the Maple Leafs may be forced to keep Jarnkrok on the roster — or retain salary in a deal — if they want to create space and flexibility. Dropping his cap hit down to just over $1M would open up the market a little. Until then, the Swedish forward remains a trade candidate in limbo. This isn’t great news as moving Jarnkrok from the roster is an important item on the team’s to-do list. Treliving would like more cap space, and with Jarnkrok and David Kampf both still on the roster, it hampers the GM’s ability to do other things.
Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov prediction, pick, odds for UFC Abu Dhabi (Saturday, July 26)
Check out the Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov prediction for UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 26, with my betting preview and breakdown. The always controversial Bryce Mitchell is looking to revive his career in a new weight class. After dropping two of his last three fights at featherweight, “Thug Nasty” is dropping down to bantamweight. The UFC isn’t doing him any favors, matching him up with the always dangerous Said Nurmagomedov. Will Mitchell be able to go on a run at 135 pounds, or will the new division fail to produce new results? Here’s my Mitchell vs. Nurmagomedov pick and prediction. Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov odds Tale of the tape I’m generally not a fan of fighters dropping weight classes once they’re established in their careers. While it seems like a logical step — fighting smaller fighters should be easier — it’s often used as a band-aid to cover up bigger issues. That could very well be the case for Mitchell, who made a splash in his early UFC run with his exciting grappling game before plateauing against tougher competition. The biggest issue I have with Mitchell is the lack of improvement he’s shown since making his debut at 23 years old. At the time, he was considered a fairly raw prospect, but the now 30-year-old continues to be plagued by the same issues. Mitchell is a solid wrestler with an excellent top game, but is fairly lacking in every other aspect of the sport. That’s unsurprising, considering the bulk of his training is done in his garage gym, where his training partners are primarily local fighters. There’s a place for working with lower-level training partners. The best way to develop offensive skills is by working with people who don’t force you to play defense, and that goes a long way in explaining Mitchell’s creative submission attack. However, when you’re never forced to be the proverbial nail, it’s hard to improve on your defense. That’s come up often with Mitchell recently — particularly on the feet — where he’s been dropped in all three of those losses. While those came to some solid names — Ilia Topuria, Jean Silva and Josh Emmett have knocked down a lot of people — it’s still not a great sign. Particularly against a dynamic striker like Nurmagomedov. Despite his last name, Said is of no blood relation to Khabib, Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov. He also fights completely differently, with a kick-heavy striking attack and only sporadic grappling. However, he punishes opponents who attempt to grapple him with a nasty guillotine/front choke that’s eerily similar to the submission that Jean Silva landed on Mitchell. Nurmagomedov has shown excellent balance when defending takedowns in earnest as well. Nurmagomedov should also have a massive edge on the feet. He uses lead leg kicks almost as a jab, including both front and side kicks. He’s looked fast against fellow bantamweights, a disparity that should be even more apparent against the larger, slower Mitchell. The biggest concern I have for Nurmagomedov is that his kicks will make it easier for Mitchell’s takedowns, especially since Nurmagomedov won’t have the reach edge he typically enjoys against other bantamweights. He’ll need to rely more on lateral movement in the larger UFC cage to stay out of range, as Mitchell forcing this fight into close quarters is probably the easiest path to victory for the favorite. Mitchell vs. Nurmagomedov pick, prediction The other potential weakness of Nurmagomedov’s game is his cardio. In each of his three UFC losses — all decisions — he won the first round before dropping rounds two and three. Conversely, Mitchell has exclusively lost in the first two rounds of fights and has generally been able to build as fights go on. However, I have my concerns about his ability to keep that up now that he’s cutting an additional ten pounds of weight. While he may be the better fighter late, I’m not sure it will be an especially dramatic difference. I’ve been on Nurmagomedov all week, a stance I’m still fine with despite the line moving against me. I’m going to add an additional half-unit bet on Nurmagomedov to get this done inside the distance, though. The best odds are +225 at DraftKings. Billy’s Pick: Nurmagomedov inside the distance +225 (DraftKings)
Two Teams Linked to a Trade with Bruins for Pavel Zacha
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.
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