Craig Mitchelldyer, The Associated Press)
PORTLAND, ore. — Before the game, Nuggets coach Michael Malone wasn't about to give any validation to the notion that energy level should be an issue just because Wednesday night's game was his team's fourth in five nights.
He had just watched Cleveland, in that same situation, vanquish his team the night before.
Malone had every expectation his crew could pull the same trick at Portland. And he was right. Energy was not an issue.
But defense was — specifically, keeping Portland players out of the paint. Blazers guard C.