Monday, May 6, 2019

Jokic, Murray Lead Nuggets to Series-Tying Win

Less than 48 hours removed from a heartbreaking four-overtime loss, the Denver Nuggets secured a gusty 116-112 road victory over the Portland Trail Blazers to even the Western Conference Semifinals series at two games apiece.

Nikola Jokic registered his fourth triple-double of the postseason with a 21-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist performance. Jokic fought through fatigue and posted his second consecutive triple-double, having played 65 minutes in Friday's 4-OT loss.



Jamal Murray scored a game-best 34 points in the win.  The Nuggets outscored the Trail Blazers 27-14 in the third quarter, before holding on in the final frame behind some clutch free throw shooting. Murray knocked down all 11 of his free throw attempts, including six in the waning minutes of action. He has scored over 30 points in back-to-back games, the first Nuggets player to accomplish this feat in the postseason since Carmelo Anthony did so in 2010.
Jamal Murray outplayed Damian Lillard in Denver's Game 4 victory. (Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CJ McCollum recorded 29 points and Damian Lillard scored 28 for the Trail Blazers, who lost at home for the first time this postseason. Seth Curry scored 16 off the bench—14 coming in the second quarter in which he hit four 3's.

Paul Millsap logged his third straight double-double, producing 21 points and corralling 10 rebounds in the Game 4 win.

The Nuggets received a major scare when Jokic limped off the court in the final minutes with a leg injury, but he returned on the next possession. 

Head coach Michael Malone dismissed the ailment afterward, saying, "He just got kneed, nothing serious." 

The Nuggets return home for Game 5 on Tuesday.

No comments:

Post a Comment