Nuggets at Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers gained the road split they craved and now look to take advantage of their home floor when they face the Denver Nuggets on Friday in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. Portland recovered from a series-opening loss in Denver by holding the Nuggets to 34.7 percent shooting from the field while posting a 97-90 victory in Game 2.
Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard had just 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting in Game 2 after a 39-point performance in Game 1 and he understands the importance of Wednesday's win in Denver. "They say the series starts when someone wins a game on the road and we were able to do that, so our goal is to just take it one game at a time and protect our home floor," Lillard told reporters. "We have two games on our home floor and we have to be just as sharp, if not better because you know they are going to come back better." The Nuggets had a 12-point second quarter in Game 2 and were just 6-of-29 for the contest from 3-point range in a woeful shooting effort. "We were getting such open looks that I understand our players shooting the shot, but when you're not having a night where you're making shots consistently, you got to attack the basket," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters. "You have to put pressure on the rim, you have to think attack instead of settle and I thought in the first half we didn't have that mindset."
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE NUGGETS: Point guard Jamal Murray aggravated a right thigh injury during Game 2 and the training staff is busy getting the 22-year-old ready for Game 3. Murray initially hurt the thigh during the first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs when he ran into a screen by Jakob Poeltl and he injured again it while running into a screen during Game 2, eventually sitting out the final 53 seconds. "Those screens hurt," Murray told reporters. "It is what it is. It hurt for the rest of the game. Couldn't move, obviously, and coach (Malone) had to take me out. I'm just going to get treatment and just be ready for Game 3. It was definitely hurting."
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Shooting guard CJ McCollum contributed 20 points, six rebounds and six assists in Game 2 and Portland is 4-1 this postseason when he reaches the 20-point mark. "I was just trying to be aggressive," McCollum told reporters of his Game 2 showing. "I think that was the biggest thing - be aggressive, take what the defense gives me. Obviously, looking to score but if it's not there, being aware of the weak side, being aware of the help defender, and trying to make the right play." Backup shooting guard Rodney Hood is averaging 16 points in the series and has made 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Nuggets F Torrey Craig (nose) is probable and is expected to wear a protective mask.
2. Portland SF Maurice Harkless (ankle) left Game 2 and his status has yet to be firmed up.
3. Denver C Nikola Jokic scored just 16 points in Game 2 after pouring in 37 in the opener.