The Portland Trail Blazers led the Denver Nuggets for three quarters, but the champs took over in the fourth to pull away for a 112-103 victory. Without Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant, Portland took a double-digit lead in a hot-shooting first half, led by Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons. But in full Nuggets tradition, Nikola Jokic looked like an unstoppable freight train, picking up momentum to keep Denver close until they could overwhelm the Blazers late.
A few thoughts from tonight’s game:
- This really wasn’t a bad loss. Portland’s Youth Movement was in full display, putting the NBA Champs on their heels with lots of energy and some surprisingly hot shooting.