The Denver Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-109 in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series on Monday night. With the convincing win at Ball Arena, the Nuggets avoided a 0-2 deficit as the series shifts to Portland.

MVP favorite Nikola Jokic led the way, per the usual, for the Nuggets with 38 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Portland was overmatched, despite superstar guard Damian Lillard exploding for 42 points and 10 assists.

Game 3 takes place on Thursday evening at Moda Center. Here are three bold predictions for the pivotal matchup between the Nuggets and the host Trail Blazers.

1. Nikola Jokic posts triple-double

Jokic compiled 16 triple-doubles this season, giving the young center 57 for his career. The 26-year-old amassed per-game averages of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists—the sixth-most across the NBA—in a dominant 2020-21 campaign. However, Jokic’s assist figures have dipped in the first two contests of the series, accumulating just three per night.

In Game 3, look for the 7-footer to dish out at least 10 assists as the Nuggets seek to reclaim homecourt advantage. Of course, Jokic needs his teammates to make baskets. Michael Porter Jr., in particular, has to knock down shots from behind the arc. He went 3-for-6 from downtown in Game 2 after hitting just 1-of-10 treys in the series opener.

The Trail Blazers have made a concerted effort to curtail Jokic’s playmaking. They recognize he can score at will, but want to decrease his passing opportunities. The Nuggets are shorthanded—devoid of guards Jamal Murray and Will Barton—and the Trail Blazers want to force Jokic’s teammates to score. In Game 1, the Nuggets shot just 1-for-10 on passes from Jokic, per ESPN Stats & Information. However, the Nuggets were able to make shots in those situations in Game 2, a trend that will continue upward next contest.

Six Nuggets scored in double figures last contest. Even with their rash of injuries, they have enough shotmakers to enable Jokic to hit the 10-assist mark in Game 3. His scoring and rebounding figures will be in the double figures, too, as he logs his sixth career playoff triple-double.

2. CJ McCollum scores 30+ points

Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum has produced 21 points in each of the first two games of the series. It took him 20 shots to muster that total in Game 1, whereas he hit that figure last game on just 12 field goal attempts. Come Game 3, expect McCollum to attempt around 20 shots, but come away with at least 30 points this time around.

For the Trail Blazers to seize control of the series, it will be on McCollum to step up his output, especially with the Nuggets wisely focusing their attention on Lillard.

The Nuggets are wisely focusing on Lillard. After the guard scored 32 points in the first half of Game 2, the Nuggets deployed forward Aaron Gordon on Lillard defensively. Gordon limited Lillard to 10 second-half points.

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With Lillard facing a tougher defender, the Trail Blazers should put the ball in McCollum’s hands more. McCollum hasn’t eclipsed 30 points since dropping 33 in early May, but could have added opportunities for the remainder of the series. McCollum is due for a monster evening and he comes through for the Trail Blazers with at least 30 points on Thursday.

3. Trail Blazers win, cover 4-point spread

While the Trail Blazers registered more road wins (22) than home victories (20) in the regular season, the playoffs are a whole different atmosphere. The Moda Center still won’t be in full capacity, but the Trail Blazers will feed off their home crowd, even if it’s expected to be only 8,000 in attendance.

The Trail Blazers are currently listed as 4-point favorites, according to the oddsmakers at BetOnline. Portland’s roster depth—aided by Denver’s injury situation—gives it the edge to not only win the game, but cover the spread.