Jokic erupts for 38 points as Nuggets tie series vs Blazers
LOS ANGELES – Most Valuable Player candidate Nikola Jokic served up a 38-point display as the Denver Nuggets overpowered the Portland Trail Blazers, 128-109, at the Ball Arena on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time).
Jokic made 15-of-20 from the field with eight rebounds and five assists as Denver battled back to level their NBA playoff series at 1-1 after being jolted by the Blazers in Saturday's opener.
Portland talisman Damian Lillard led the scoring with 42 points but it was not enough against a rugged Denver defense.
Six Denver players cracked double figures, with Jokic receiving scoring support from Michael Porter with 18 points and Paul Millsap with 15.
Aaron Gordon finished with 13 points while Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris chipped in with 12 apiece.
"The difference tonight was we created open shots," Serbian star Jokic said afterwards.
"In game one we didn't create open shots. It was a tough night for us. But today our bench was good, everybody contributed.
"It was a real team effort."
Jokic said Denver will need to produce a stronger defensive effort as the series moves to Portland for game three on Thursday.
"They're a talented team, a dangerous team, but we can fight at least," said Jokic, who was encouraged by Denver's aggressive approach against Portland.
"It seems like we like it," Jokic said. "When they started picking up the aggressiveness, we did it too. We kind of meet their aggressiveness. Maybe we were a little bit higher, but we were still controlling it."
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