Trail Blazers guard Norman Powell was just fine in the first three games of Portland’s first round playoff series versus the Denver Nuggets. Sure, his three-point shot wasn’t falling -- he combined to shoot 3-of-14 from distance -- but he was still shooting nearly 50 percent from the field while doing an admirable job of defending Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. despite giving up seven inches.
But while there might have been some moments of frustration for Powell through the first three games of the series, there has never been any doubt. He’s been justifiably angry, especially when it comes to defending, but his belief never wavered.