3 Takeaways From Game 3 Blazers Vs Nuggets

The Portland Trail Blazers took the series lead 2-1 after defeating the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

NBA fans were treated to a quadruple overtime game at the Moda Center in Friday night’s Game 3. This game was a historic playoff thriller that had plenty of big moments, key baskets and a lot of tired legs. Here are some key takeaways from the Blazers 140-137 quadruple overtime victory over the Nuggets in Game 3:

No Answer For Jamal Murray And Nikola Jokic

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray came off a mediocre performance in Game 2 as he shot the ball poor and didn’t leave his mark on the game. In Game 3 this was a different story as Murray was a problem for the Blazers all night as he was hitting clutch basket after clutch basket.

Murray logged in 55 minutes for the night and ended the game with 34 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists shooting 43% for the game.

His teammate, Nikola Jokic, was burnt out as he logged in the most minutes out of every player on the floor at almost 65 minutes. Jokic was battling with Enes Kanter all night but still remained a problem as he logged in a triple-double. Jokic was playmaking, scoring and even served as a threat from three-point range. This put more pressure on the Blazers’ bigs to defend him tightly. Jokic ended the night with 33 points, 18 rebounds and 14 assists on 52% shooting.

The Blazers defeated the Nuggets on one of the more better nights from their star players. They were able to close the game out in 4 overtimes, this should serve as a huge confidence boost going into Game 4. To limit another plethora of overtime games, the Blazers still has to find an answer to limit Murray and Jokic.

Rodney Hood Fresh Legs Wins The Game

Rodney Hood proved to be the real MVP for the Blazers as he was the one to close out the game with some clutch buckets. Hood ended the game with 19 points and 2 rebounds, providing some big-time production off the bench.

Hood checked into the game at around the 1:59 mark left in the 4th overtime. He had not played since the 4th quarter of this game, so his fresh legs proved to be key for the Blazers to pull this game out. He knocked down two pull up jump shots and a dagger three-pointer to give the Blazers a 2 point lead to close out the game.

Hood’s production off the bench was much needed from the Blazers and will be needed even more going into Game 4.

CJ McCollum Is NOT Human

In response to being asked how tired he was after logging in 60 minutes in a quadruple overtime victory in a postgame ESPN interview, CJ McCollum simply responded saying,

"“I’m good, it’s what I’m built for man, It’s what I work for.”"

McCollum was unfazed by playing extra minutes as he was nothing but amazing in Friday night’s thriller. He hit clutch basket after clutch basket willing the Blazers to victory. He dropped 41 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the game. McCollum was a thorn in the side of the Nuggets as he was the one who kept making the big plays.

McCollum showed out, knocking down midrange jumpers, three-pointers, and layups. He was the one who delivered the key assist to Rodney Hood for the dagger three-pointer at the end of the game. McCollum had missed a shot but still willed himself to grab the rebound and locate a wide open Rodney Hood to deliver the dagger.