The Portland Trail Blazers lost a heartbreaker to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night at the Pepsi Center. A missed Damian Lillard free throw, an overturned out of bounds call, and clutch Will Barton free throws all contributed to the win for the hometown Nuggets, who won by a final score of 104-101. Damian Lillard lead the Blazers with 25 points, and Jamal Murray lead the Nuggets with a career-high 38. Blazers owner Paul Allen was in attendance, and left quickly after the final buzzer.
Owner Paul Allen in attendance, walks out the tunnel, head down after Blazers lose heartbreaker, 104-101.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) January 23, 2018
Here are a few takeaways from tonight’s game:
- Return of the Nurk. Monday marked Jusuf Nurkic’s first game in Denver since being traded to Portland last February. The Bosnian Beast recovered from a slow first half with a dominating second stanza. He finished the game with 19 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Here was the crowd reaction to his introduction tonight:
Was the @bosnianbeast27 cheered or booed? You decide. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/GX7ogRCXsU
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 23, 2018
- Marvelous Murray. Murray, who entered the night averaging just shy of 16 points a game, led all scorers with a career-high 38 points, on 14-19 shooting, including a go-ahead and-one bucket in the final minute.
- Cold start. The Blazers and Nuggets each shot just 28% from the field in first quarter. Neither team shot the ball particularly well for the remaining three quarters either, with Portland finishing at 42% and Denver finishing at 40%.
Highlights:
Who had a better move: Patty C or Coach Stotts? #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/wPPDW5FHQw
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 23, 2018
The runway is clear for a Collins takeoff! .#ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/n4bGZyayjg
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 23, 2018
This... this is impressive... all-star quality, one might say #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/ysdxMjfsIJ
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 23, 2018
Raise the roof, ET #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/18gTVir9vQ
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 23, 2018
Gimme' that! Nurkić with the hustle play. #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/DltCls8t55
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 23, 2018
Davis throws down the two-handed hammer #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/9Vn6LuJ0nt
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 23, 2018
Bump.
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 23, 2018
Set.
Spike. pic.twitter.com/WhgpgYIf9D
What’s Next:
The Blazers host the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night. Stay tuned for more analysis on tonight’s game from Blazer’s Edge.