----- Nikola Jokic scored 38 points and pulled down eight rebounds and Michael Porter Jr. finished with 18 points as the Denver Nuggets crushed the Portland Trail Blazers 128-109 Monday night at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Nuggets strike gold!
With their backs against the wall, the Denver Nuggets leaned on their MVP to even their first round Western Conference playoff series at 1-1 with a dominating 128-109 victory Monday night at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Nikola Jokic dominated Portland with 38 points and eight rebounds while connecting on 15 of his 20 shots.
Jokic had plenty of help in game two. Michael Porter Jr. scored 18 points, Aaron Gordon added 13 points and six rebounds, and Paul Milsap finished with 15 points and seven rebounds off-the-bench.
The Nuggets shot 53.5% from the field including 12-of-28 from three-point range, held a 16-4 edge in fast break points, and they dominated the Blazers in the paint 54-32.
The Nuggets were the aggressors from the opening tip and that continued throughout the game as they scored 22 points off of 21 Blazers' turnovers.
Denver won every single quarter leading by as many as 23 points.
It was a physical game, with four technical fouls being issued (three on Denver, including one on Jokic) and two flagrant-1 calls (CJ McCollum and Carmelo Anthony).
The Blazers poor effort spoiled a splendid night from Damian Lillard. He finished with 42 points and put on a shooting clinic connecting on 9-of-16 from three-point range.
After a strong game one, Jusuf Nurkic struggled Monday night scoring just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting and fouled out with 9:58 remaining in the game.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers return home to meet the Nuggets in game three Thursday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 PM.
Chad's Take- Nuggets dominated from start to finish. A regrettable performance by Portland.