The Denver Nuggets had a hard-fought battle against the hot Portland Trail Blazers, but it was a battle they came out of as the losers 118-110.

Denver came out incredibly hot in the first quarter, outscoring Portland 31-19, but one thing that the Trail Blazers have proven this season is that their offense is not one to be trifled with, and their offense surged right back. Portland outscored Denver handedly the next three quarters on the way to the win.

The Trail Blazers held the advantage from the three point line and moved the ball better than the Nuggets did, but the biggest factor that let Portland break away was the rebounding difference between the two teams. Portland out-rebounded Denver 53-37 and held a particular advantage with offensive rebounds, 21-9.

That difference in rebounding created gave Portland's already formidable offense an advantage that it didn't need and did just enough to keep them out of reach for Denver, despite a good scoring night from the Nuggets as well.

Rebounding, or a lack thereof, has become somewhat of a recurring issue for the Nuggets. They're near the middle of the pack when it comes to team rebounds per game at 42.5 per game, but that will only continue to grow as an issue the longer that the Nuggets continue to stagnate in that area.

Star Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has acknowledged the issue, and he chalks up those struggles, particularly against the Trail Blazers, to an inability to box out their opponents, leading to an abundance of offensive boards that as further enhanced by how readily Portland was shooting three pointers.

"They [Portland] shot 41 threes, so the ball's going to bounce everywhere," Jokic said (via Nuggets). "If... you're boxing your guy out, that's going to help us a lot."

Raw scoring is oner of the Nuggets' biggest skillsets, but there are so many other facets to the offensive side of the ball, especially rebounds. Rebounding not only helps create more offensive opportunities for Denver, it takes away those same opportunities for their opponents, which would have helped greatly in avoiding their defeat. 

The start to the season has so far been a mixed bag for Denver, one which leaves a lot to examine and work on even further. Losses like the one they just suffered against Portland serve as revealing moments for the Nuggets to learn from, but what is even more necessary from the team at this point is to actually apply those lessons.

The raw talent on the roster is enough to take them far, but execution will be the true difference maker on how much of a contender the Nuggets can be this season.