Nuggets Take the Lead in the Series, Rout Trail Blazers, 124-98

Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals series between the Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers ended with a convincing win of the hosts.

The Nuggets hammered Lillard and the company from Oregon with 124-98, winning their second game in a row in this series.

As soon as the game began, Mike Malone’s crew started pounding, and they didn’t allow for the visitors to have the slightest chance of making a break.

Nuggets opened the game with seven straight points preventing the Trail Blazers to score at all. At the end of the first period, they were up 31-25. But that was merely an introduction for the upcoming domination of hosts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndWKca1kbos

Jamal Murray had 11 points in the second quarter alone, Paul Millsap added 19 in the first half, and these two guys were harassing the Trail Blazers. At the halftime, Denver had a 65-47 advantage.

Millsap’s contribution was huge, as he exploited all the advantages of having unselfish teammates beside him. Jokic, Murray, and Harris often found the vet, who was pretty inspired tonight.

Millsap was sneaking in under the rim, using wide-open three-point shots, or just playing one-on-one against Kanter, Harkless or Aminu. Anyhow, he was hurting the guests big time.

“We have looked to feature him more and tonight was another example of him taking advantage of that,” Mike Malone said. “He’s stepping up when we need him to step up.”

The defensive aspect of Denver’s game was also at a high level. For instance, they have allowed only 18 points in the third quarter and stiffed Blazers offense a couple of times preventing them from scoring for several minutes in a row. Lillard spoke that after the match, saying that Denver played a hard, tough defense which caused a lot of problems, especially for him.

“They’re making me see bodies,” Lillard said. “They’re playing physical. Guys are chasing hard over screens, they’re not quitting on plays, so it’s not a lot of space out there.”

In the end, Portland had just 36.7 % from the field, 36 of 98.

They had three players with 10+ points, Lillard with 22, Hood with 14 and CJ McCollum who had 12.

On the other side, Denver had six, four with 15 or more buckets. Their diversified attack was creating a lot of troubles for the dazzled guests.

Malone emphasized the fact that Nuggets had 26 assists, and that whenever they play like that, it is hard to beat them. According to his words, the Nuggets are a team where an individual has to put the crew in front of his stats.

“That is a part of our culture,” said Malone, “being selfless. Making plays for teammates, and playing for each other, not just with each other.”

After Jokic’s free throws with 28.8 seconds left in the third period, Denver was up 91-60, and pretty much everything was solved in this one.

The final 12 minutes were used to see players who didn’t spend too much time on the court during these playoffs.

Nikola Jokic had another impressive night. He scored 25 points and had 19 rebounds, tying the franchise record of the home team. The Joker also posted 6 assists. Millsap ended the game with 24 points, Murray had 18, while Gary Harris had 16.

The Nuggets destroyed Blazers in the air, having 64 rebounds compared to just 44 of the guests. It is something unacceptable in the playoffs, and one of the crucial reasons for Portland’s loss.

Game 6 is in Portland, this Thursday night. Denver is fired up, and they have a chance to reach the conference finals in their first appearance after 10 years.

Though, Malone is calming down the emotions and warns that the Blazers are going to be very motivated themselves because they have their backs against the wall.

“Portland’s not going to roll over,” he said. “We need to bring the fight.”

The game starts at 8:30 local (PDT) time.