Trail Blazers at Nuggets
Nikola Jokic's star continues to shine this postseason and the Denver Nuggets' big man will try to help his team take a 2-0 lead when they host the Portland Trail Blazers in Wednesday's Western Conference semifinals. The All-Star center was splendid all around with 37 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots to lead Denver to 121-113 victory in Game 1.
Jokic has topped 20 points in six of eight playoff games, including a 43-point effort during the first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs. "He sees how people are playing him and guarding him and he makes the right play every time," veteran power forward Paul Millsap said after Monday's victory. "That's what's great about him - he doesn't force anything. Everything is going to be the right play. The Trail Blazers made a lot of wrong plays in the opener as they committed 18 turnovers, including six from star point guard Damian Lillard. "I know I had six myself," Lillard told reporters. "As much as I have the ball, I'm responsible for valuing possessions. On the road against a team who plays much faster, much better at home, especially when they get out in transition and shoot 3s and get the ball moving - just gave them too many opportunities."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Center Enes Kanter played with a separated left shoulder in Game 1 and he displayed good toughness and production as he scored 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting in 33 minutes. Kanter received an injection prior to the game in an attempt to alleviate the pain and made it clear he won't sit out any upcoming games no matter the effect on his abilities. "I cannot play the way I want to play," Kanter told reporters after Game 1. "Just keep playing through it. With the pain killers, injections, anything I can do to just help my teammates. It doesn't matter, one arm, two arm, I'm just going to go out there and help my teammates win because I signed with this team in February but this team put so much work and effort into the whole season."
ABOUT THE NUGGETS: Despite the victory, Denver allowed 29 or more points in three of the four quarters and that didn't sit well with coach Michael Malone. "I think everyone in the locker room knows we have to be more locked in on defense to try and get the second win," Malone told reporters. "I expect Game 2 to be another battle." Point guard Jamal Murray committed just one turnover while registering 23 points and eight assists and he has scored at least 23 in four of the past five postseason games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Jokic was 12-of-12 from the free-throw line in Game 1 after attempting more than four just twice in the first round against San Antonio.
2. Backup Portland SG Rodney Hood scored 17 points in the opener after averaging 3.2 in the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
3. Denver SG Gary Harris scored 11 points, failing to reach 20 for the sixth straight time after opening the San Antonio series with outings of 20 and 23 points.