The Nuggets entered their first-round playoff series determined to irritate Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic and force him into foul trouble.
So far, it’s working.
Nurkic, having fouled out in consecutive games, vented his frustration Thursday night after the Nuggets’ dramatic 120-115 road victory in Game 3.
“It’s my fault to get in foul trouble, but at the same time, I’m looking at the fouls and I can’t agree on all of those,” Nurkic said. “I really can’t.”
One call in particular got under his skin.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Nurkic re-entered the game and was immediately charged with holding against Nikola Jokic.