Jokic Superb, Nuggets Start the Series Against Trail Blazers Successfully, 121-113

The Denver Nuggets started their series against Portland in the best possible way. They won Game 1 in Colorado, with 121-113, and shook off all those worries about their condition after seven tough games against the Spurs in round one.

Mike Malone spoke about that after the match, saying that he too had some thoughts about that, and recognized it as a potential problem.

“Saturday night, an emotional high, winning a Game 7, that was part of my biggest concern about tonight,” Nuggets coach said. “Obviously you’re worried about guarding them but how would we react from that emotional hangover?”

It seems that Nikola Jokic didn’t have such problems. The Joker poured 37 points on Blazers’ defense. Even with Enes Kanter in the starting lineup, the Serbian center was slicing the opponent who didn’t have a proper answer for his one-on-one game.

On top of all that, he added 9 rebounds, 6 assists and was 11 of 18 from the field and perfect from the free throw line, 12 of 12.

“I just felt the ball, you know, I was aggressive a little bit more, because we entered the game a little bit sloppy, and slow,” said Jokic who is the first center after Wilt Chamberlain with multiple triple-doubles during one playoff run.

The first half was close, and neither side had made some runs which could create a noticeable lead. The opening quarter finished 32-32, and after that Denver headed on a break with a small edge, 58-55.

But as soon as the second half began, the home team started to slowly pull away, managing to be ahead nine points at the end of the third, 93-84. An 8-0 series in the final period was the turning point of the game, and the moment when Denver secured the win. After that quick run, Denver was up 109-96.

Nothing interesting happened after that, because Denver responded to every move guests made, and had incredible Jokic who was unguardable and who neutralized Lillard’s 39 buckets.

“We’ll be watching a video and trying to figure something else,” Blazers’ coach Terry Stotts stated at the press conference when one reporter asked him how to stop Jokic.

Nikola Jokic stepped up and delivered a Game 1 win in Denver! 💪

📊: 37 PTS | 9 REB | 6 AST#MileHighBasketball | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/V4Ub1olDHE

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 30, 2019

During that media session, coach Stotts emphasized the fact that his team had 18 turnovers, and that they allowed 23 points after them. He was especially referring to the situation at the end of the first half when his team handed the possession to the Nuggets four times.

“The turnovers, they hurt us,” Stotts said. “I thought that four turnovers at the end of the first half really took away some of our momentum we had.”

In general, Trailblazers’ coach was pleased the way his team played offense, as they had solid shooting percentages, 51.9% from the field, and 37.9% from downtown.

Enes Kanter was back in action, and despite having some issues with his shoulder during the match, he ended the night with 26 points and 7 boards. The Turkish international was 11 of 14 from the field, but couldn’t slow down Jokic. CJ McCollum failed to meet the expectations, as he contributed with only 16 points. Rodney Hood was solid of the bench with 17 buckets, in only 18 minutes.

For the home team, Jamal Murray was following Jokic with 23 points, and he had 8 assists also. Paul Millsap scored 19, and Gary Harris 11.

They too had good percentages, 50.6% from the field, 41.4% for three.

Mike Malone said that his team will start preparing for it as soon as possible and that they need to increase the effort on the defensive end of the court in order to be successful again.

“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 said. “I expect Game 2 to be another battle.”

Game 2 will also be played at the Pepsi Center, this Wednesday. The tip-off is set for 9 p.m. local time.