NBA Playoffs 2018: Top 10 role players who'll make a difference

#5 Jusuf Nurkic

Nurkic blocks the Nuggets' Plumlee

The acquisition of Nurkic from the Denver Nuggets during the trade window in the 2016-17 season has provided dividends for the Portland Trail Blazers. Nurkic is a traditional center who gets nearly all of his points from within 14 feet of the basket, but like good old-school big men, the Nurk has been a rock on the defensive end for the Blazers.

Averaging 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, Nurkic has not only been a nice auxiliary scorer for the Blazers, he's also been their defensive anchor.

With Nurkic on the court, the Blazers defend at a rate good enough for 2nd place in the league. With him off the floor, their defensive rating falls by 4.5 points per 100 possessions, underlining his importance to their defensive stature.

Nurkic is a big body who can not only crash the glass and defend the paint against slashers and cutters from elite offenses like those of the Warriors and Rockets, he can also be a real handful on the offensive end on his night as his 7', 280-pound frame gives him a size advantage over most centers.