Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone says when power forward Paul Millsap is playing well, it takes pressure off of star center Nikola Jokic on offense.

Malone says because Millsap is such a dynamic scorer, when the veteran big man has it going, the Nuggets don't have to force feed Jokic in the post all game and get predictable on offense.

Millsap has the most playoff experience on the Nuggets. The 34-year-old has proven to be very valuable to Denver and is playing his best basketball of the season at the perfect time.

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Millsap scored 19 points in the Nuggets' Game 1 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He shot an efficient 7-of-12 from the field as well. Millsap's sound play allowed Jokic to get single coverage in the post and he took advantage of it. Jokic put up 37 points, nine rebounds and six assists in Game 1. He's now averaging 24.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the playoffs.

Millsap and Jokic form a lethal frontcourt in Denver. Both players can score from the perimeter and post. When Millsap and Jokic are clicking on all cylinders, the Nuggets are pretty much impossible to beat, especially at home.

The Nuggets will look to take a 2-0 series lead over the Blazers on Wednesday.