DENVER — Nikola Jokic scored 37 factors and the Denver Nuggets withstood Damian Lillard's 39-factor effort and Enes Kanter's strong go back to Portland's lineup in a 121-113 win over the nicely-rested Trail Blazers inside the opener of their 2d-round playoff series Monday night.
Lillard, who struck for 50 factors, consisting of a 37-footer on the buzzer to oust Oklahoma City in five games, overlooked eight of 12 3-factor tries and Gary Harris blocked his 3 from in the back of within the remaining minute to preserve the Trail Blazers from final in.
Jamal Murray introduced 23 factors for Denver, which become making its first appearance in the 2d round in a decade, and Paul Millsap scored 19.
BOX SCORE: NUGGETS 121, BLAZERS 113
"Saturday night time, an emotional high, winning a Game 7, that changed into a part of my biggest situation about tonight," Nuggets educate Michael Malone stated. "Obviously you're concerned about guarding them but how could we react from that emotional hangover? I thought our guys did a quite suitable process."
Game 2 is Wednesday night time at the Pepsi Center.
Back-to-again layups through Lillard pulled Portland to within five points with nine minutes left, however Jokic sank a pair of unfastened throws off CJ McCollum's flagrant foul sandwiched through a pair of dunks by using Mason Plumlee as Denver driven its lead back to double digits at 107-ninety six.
Portland never were given an awful lot closer.
Denver turned into coming off a ninety-86 win over San Antonio 48 hours earlier, their first Game 7 victory on the grounds that May 3, 1978, in opposition to Milwaukee. The Trail Blazers, who're inside the playoffs for the 6th straight season, had almost every week off after dispatching Oklahoma City in 5 video games to strengthen for the first time in 3 years.
Yet, the Nuggets had the electricity at altitude and won the fourth time in 5 video games.
The Trail Blazers did get a boost from Kanter, who separated his left shoulder in Game 5 in opposition to the Thunder. He had 14 points by halftime when Portland trailed 58-55.
"Enes became awesome, very green, completed around the basket playing thru the shoulder harm," Trail Blazers teach Terry Stotts said. "I couldn't have asked any extra of him. He changed into superb."
The Nuggets scored 23 points off Portland's 18 turnovers.
"It changed into an excellent offensive game however I concept the turnovers really made the distinction," Stotts said.
Kanter, who signed with Portland after being waived with the aid of the Knicks following the trade deadline, became originally a backup to starter Jusuf Nurkic, however his function become magnified while Nurkic broke a leg March 25. Kanter averaged thirteen.1 factors and 8.6 rebounds in 23 games down the stretch, then put up 13.2 factors and 10.2 rebounds inside the first round.
Malone stated before tip-off he became hopeful that gave his younger group a few mettle.
"Knowing we may be down 2-1 and a variety of human beings had written us off as a gaggle of frauds and to return returned win the closing 3 out of four, that is got to offer you self belief," Malone stated. "Game 2 at home turned into a ought to-win; Game four on the street changed into a must-win, and manifestly Game 7, we recognise what those are all about. I take so much pride and joy in considering all the younger men that grew up in that first round. So now we ought to do all of it over again."
Jokic, who averaged 23.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists in the first round against San Antonio, made all 12 of his free throws and introduced nine rebounds and six assists.
TIP-INS:
Portland: The Trail Blazers misplaced three of four to the Nuggets within the everyday season, however the Nuggets best outscored them by way of a cumulative six factors. ... The Trail Blazers outshot the Nuggets fifty one.Nine percentage to 50.6 percentage.
Denver: The Nuggets have been coming off a 2-for-20 performance from 3-point range Saturday night time. ... The Nuggets are four-1 on the Pepsi Center in the playoffs after going an NBA-quality 37-4 at home in the course of the everyday season. ... Denver became 27 of 31 from the loose throw line.
THIRD TIME
The Blazers and Nuggets are meeting for a third time inside the postseason, with each prevailing one series. Denver beat Portland three-1 within the first spherical in 1986, whilst Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas led the Blazers to a 4-2 series win in 1977 on their way to an NBA name.
HOW LONG OF A WAIT?
Malone and Colorado Avalanche educate Jared Bednar promised to fulfill for a steak after their seasons are over. It could be a while, although. Both teams are inside the 2nd spherical of the playoffs, marking the primary time each have made it to the second one round within the equal season for the reason that Avalanche moved to town before the 1995-96 season.
"It's an thrilling time to be a Colorado sports fan," said Bednar, whose Avs are tied 1-1 in their high-quality-of-7 series with San Jose. "Everyone is excited about it. ... It's a a laugh spring."
Asked if he hoped to meet up with Malone in, say, June, Bednar laughed.
"I hope so," he stated.
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