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.

Nuggets even their series by def. Trail Blazers 116-112 in Game 4.

Nikola Jokic is now the 7th player with 4 triple-doubles in a single postseason in NBA history, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, LeBron James, Rajon Rondo & Jason Kidd. (h/t @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/oX4jltr6qm

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 6, 2019

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.

NBA MVP Race: James Harden the Heavy Favorite; Davis Enters Conversation

1. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Harden leads the NBA in scoring (31.0 ppg) and player efficiency rating (30.62) and ranks third in assists per contest (8.9). All the meanwhile, the Houston Rockets are on a 16-game win streak and maintain the NBA’s best record. Further evidence of Houston’s dominance?—the Rockets are 33-1 when Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela suit up.

James Harden and the Rockets have a realistic shot to win the NBA title. (Tom Gutierrez/AP)

2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Behind the brilliance of Davis, the Pelicans have won nine consecutive games and vaulted to fourth-place in the Western Conference standings—all without DeMarcus Cousins, who was lost for the season to an Achilles injury. For the month of February, Davis ranked first in scoring, second in steals, third in rebounding and third in blocks. According to NBA.com, he is the first player to finish top-3 in the aforementioned marks since 1973-74—the season steals and blocks became official statistics.

During the current nine game winning streak Anthony Davis is averaging

37.7 points
14.6 rebounds
3.0 steals
2.8 blocks
53.2% FG%
41.9% 3PT% (NOT A MISPRINT)
61.8% TS%
33.2% USG%

— The Bird WWWWWWWWWrites (@thebirdwrites) March 7, 2018

3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

James looked like the early favorite to win MVP through the first two months of the season, but now Harden is by far and away the leader of the race. The Cavs have struggled since the calendar flipped to January, hurting James’ chances to capture his fifth MVP trophy. Even so he has been great in the absence of Kevin Love and the departure of failed experiment Isaiah Thomas, averaging a triple-double for the month of February.

Congratulations to @KingJames – the Eastern Conference #KiaPOTM for the seventh February in a row!

For the first time in his career, LeBron averaged a triple-double for the month with 27.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 10.5 APG.

DETAILS → https://t.co/m5X26947UA pic.twitter.com/6i1ZeJbvlp

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 1, 2018

4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers are riding an eight-game win streak, thanks in large part to Lillard. In the eight victories, Lillard has posted per-game averages of 32.6 points, 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds. As clutch as they come, Lillard is shooting 46.1% from the field in that span and Portland now has the third-best record in the West and the fifth-best mark in the NBA.

5. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Durant won’t win MVP as long he is a member of the Warriors (unless Stephen Curry goes down with a long-term injury), but he can remain in the conversation because of his stellar play. Durant is averaging 25.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists with a 25.56 player efficiency rating. He is the driving force of the Warriors (50-14), who trail the Rockets by a half-game for the best record in the NBA.

Next in Line

6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

7. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

9. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

10. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Can the Celtics Lure LaMarcus Aldridge to Boston?

            The Boston Celtics have the cap space necessary to offer a top-tier free agent a maximum contract this offseason. Not typically big players in the free agent market, General Manager Danny Ainge is willing to improve his team in any means possible —including dishing out a lucrative contract to a star this summer.

            "We haven't ever had cap space, I don’t think, in the history of the Celtics," Ainge jokingly said. "For sure since I've been here. So we need to use that space wisely. We can't just spend it just because we have it."

            The Celtics certainly have the cash (roughly $33.2 million in spending money) to land a star. But will a player be interested in hopping on board Ainge’s rebuilding train—albeit one that is soaring much faster than anyone could have imagined—to become the centerpiece of the 17-time NBA Champion Celtics?

            There is a widespread myth that free agents do not want to come to Boston. While the Celtics have never inked an elite player through free agency, how many stars have the Celtics actually heavily chased on the open market? The franchise has consistently looked towards trades that better the team in the short and long-term, along with mindful picks in the draft, to reload their squad. However, this year’s free agency presents the Celtics with a new opportunity to dispel the notion that players are uninterested in signing a contract to play on the famous parquet floor. With the Portland Trailblazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge set to hit the open market, the time is now for the Celtics to rail in their ideal star in free agency.

            Aldridge is likely the player the Celtics chase the hardest this summer. The dynamic 6-foot-10-inch forward/center has a polished post game with a superb ability to finish around the basket. Aldridge—who posted 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest with a 22.85 player efficiency rating in 2014-15—also owns a commendable mid-range game that fits well into Boston’s offense, which relies upon strong shooting from its big men.

The Celtics could make a big push to sign free-agent-to-be LaMarcus Aldridge. (Craig Mitchelldyer-USA Today Sports)

            It’s easy to sell Aldridge to Boston’s management and its fans—but what do the Celtics offer to the four-time All-Star?

            First and foremost, the Celtics provide Aldridge the chance to be the cornerstone of the most successful franchise in league history. Aldridge, reportedly unhappy with the media’s newfound obsession with Damian Lillard, can defect to Boston and instantly become ‘The Man’ for the Green and White.

            The extraordinarily weak Eastern Conference is something Aldridge can’t ignore. The only current realistic title contender is the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. The Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls are all a player (or two) away from being bulletproof threats to win the championship. If Alrdidge stays in the West—either to remain in Portland or to jump ship to the Dallas Mavericks, the purported favorites to land the free-agent-to-be—he will have to deal with the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs (another serious contender for the All-Star’s services), the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies in the immediate future. 

            Does Portland even stand a chance against any of the aforementioned teams come playoff time? What about the Mavs?—currently led by an aging Dirk Nowitzki—who got smacked by the Rockets in the first-round of the postseason? Good luck going deep into the playoffs in either Portland or Dallas.

           Aldridge has reached the second round (2014) just once in his career and his team was promptly swept by the eventual-champion Spurs.

            If Aldridge flocks to Boston, he could find himself in the Conference Finals as early as next season. The Celtics are an up-and-coming team with a young core of guards (Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas and James Young) and a treasure cove of draft picks over the next couple of years. Boston can offer Aldirdge a four-year, $80 million contract. Sign with the Celtics and he’s assured a playoff spot for the extent of his deal. Join Boston, the ‘city of champions’, and he immediately becomes the top power forward in the conference.

            Aldridge said last summer his goal was to be the greatest Trail Blazer of all-time. He was steadfast in his desire to leave a legacy in the City. Now frustrated with the direction of the franchise and no longer enamored with painting his mark in Portland, why not follow the footsteps in the long list of Celtics legends? Aldridge wants to be revered. He wants to be the talk of a city. Playing in Boston gives him the best chance to do that. Watch the tribute videos the Celtics made for Kevin Garnett and for Paul Pierce and witness yourself how the city honors its basketball heroes.

            Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish—to name a few Celtic legends—have their numbers retired in the rafters and all of them remain treasured by the city. Garnett and Pierce will soon see their numbers raised as well. Aldridge has the opportunity to join Boston’s decorated history. Question remains, is Aldridge intrigued by the chance to join a pool of basketball legends?

NBA Player Rank 2014: Nos. 30-21

30.       Eric Bledsoe (SG) - Phoenix Suns

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.7

REB 4.7

ASST 5.5

FG% 47.7

The fourth-year guard out of Kentucky, Bledsoe posted career-bests in points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goal percentage. Injuries limited Bledsoe to just 43 games this season. Yet, the Suns are reportedly planned to match any offer thrown at the restricted free agent guard this offseason. Phoenix's brass is steadfast on retaining the shooting guard following the club's impressive season that saw the team finish two games out of the playoffs in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, despite the Suns having one of the youngest rosters in the NBA.

29.       Paul Millsap (PF) - Atlanta Hawks

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.9

REB 8.5

ASST 3.1

FG% 46.1

Making his first All-Star appearance of his career, Millsap formed a formidable one-two punch in the frontcourt alongside forward/center Al Horford. A torn pectoral in late December sidelined Horford for the season, putting the burden on Millsap to furnish an inside presence for Atlanta. Millsap delivered for the Hawks, averaging a career-high 17.9 points to go with 8.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.5 minutes. After leading the club in points, rebounds and steals in 2014, Millsap will look for a strong follow-up performance in the second season of his two year, $19 million contract with Atlanta. 

28.       Kyle Lowry (PG) – Toronto Raptors

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.9

REB 4.7

ASST 7.4

FG% 42.3

Arguably the biggest All-Star snub in NBA history, Lowry led the Toronto Raptors to the Atlantic Division title, earning the club its first postseason berth since 2008. The soon-to-be free agent reportedly has interest in remaining with Toronto--where he revived his career--though the Raptors will have to fend off competitors to re-sign the guard, who will likely be looking for a contract in the $9-10 million range.

27.       Chris Bosh (PF) - Miami Heat

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 16.2

REB 6.6

ASST 1.1

FG% 51.6

The unsung hero in Miami's "Big Three", Bosh continues to sacrifice personal accolades for the betterment of the team. Long known for his mid-range shot, Bosh has established himself as a threat from behind the arc, clearing more space for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to drive the lane. Bosh, who has an early termination clause that allows him to opt out of his current contract at the end of the season, has remained adamant on his desire to stay in Miami for the long-haul.

26.       Goran Dragic (PG) - Phoenix Suns

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 20.3

REB 3.2

ASST 5.9

FG% 50.5

Dragic took the league by storm this season, spearheading the Suns to 48 wins. The 27-year-old point guard earned the Most Improved Player of the Year honors and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, despite getting snubbed from the Western Conference All-Star roster earlier in the year. Dragic averaged 20.3 points, 5.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in 2013-2014.

25.       Serge Ibaka (PF) - Oklahoma City Thunder

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 15.1

REB 8.8

ASST 1.0

FG% 53.6

Ibaka led the NBA in total blocks (219) for the fourth consecutive season, earning a nod on the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the third time in as many seasons. His dramatic return to the Western Conference Finals, following what appeared to be a season-ending left calf strain injury, pulled the Thunder to consecutive victories before the Spurs ultimately finished off the intense series in six games.

24.       Dwyane Wade (SG) – Miami Heat

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 19.0

REB 4.5

ASST 4.7

FG% 54.5

Wade missed 28 games (roughly 1/3 of the season) in 2013-2014, but was highly effective in the games he suited up for, registering a 22.06 player efficiency rating. The 32-year-old guard has elevated his game this postseason, a major reason why the Heat captured their fourth consecutive Eastern Conference crown.

23.       DeMarcus Cousins (C) – Sacramento Kings

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 22.7

REB 11.7

ASST 2.9

FG% 49.6

The NBA's most underrated big man, Cousins had an impressive stat line (22.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists) in 2013-2014. Despite these numbers, Cousins received just 14 total points in the All-NBA voting with only one first-team vote. Cousins remains a headcase for the Kings, picking up a league-high 16 technical fouls, which is the golden number of T's in the NBA that result in an eventual suspension. As the focal point of the Kings' future, Cousins must find a way to control his temper and be a better team leader for the struggling franchise.

22.       Damian Lillard (PG) – Portland Trail Blazers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 20.7

REB 3.5

ASST 5.6

FG% 42.4

Following an unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year campaign, Lillard earned a 

trip to the 2014 All-Star game and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. The duo 

of Lillard and forward/center LeMarcus Aldridge helped the Blazers win their 

first playoff series in 14 years. Lillard had the finishing touch on the 

Blazers' series-victory over the Houston Rockets as the point guard drained a 

three-pointer at the buzzer to seal a Game 6 win for Portland that sent 

the Rockets fishin' for the offseason.

21.       Dirk Nowitzki (PF) - Dallas Mavericks

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 21.7

REB 6.2

ASST 2.7

FG% 49.7

After his most disappointing season since his rookie campaign, Nowitzki returned in 2013-

2014 on a mission to reclaim his glory days, making his 12th All-Star appearance and leading 

the Mavs back to the playoffs. The German Wunderkind reestablished himself as a dominant 

scorer, nearly recording his second 50/40/90 stat line of his career. Nowitzki, who shot 49.7 

percent from the field, 39.8 percent from three-point territory and 89.9 percent from the free-

throw line, jumped all the way to 10th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

*To be eligible for NBA Player Rank, players must appear in at least 40 games in 2013-2014 season.