Nuggets Defeat Blazers, 126-115, Advance to Western Semis
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 126-115, in Game 6 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Moda Center on Thursday.
There were eight ties and nine lead changes in this critical Game 6, with Denver winning and advancing to the Western Conference Semi-Finals. They actually overcame a 14-point third-quarter deficit, riding a 28-14 fourth quarter to their comeback victory. That completed a 25-point swing in the final 17 minutes. Denver shot 51 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range. In addition, the Nuggets won the turnover battle, 16-12, and the points in the paint battle, 50-38.
The Nuggets (4-2) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 26 points, five rebounds and four assists, with all those points coming in the first half. Aaron Gordon amassed 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Monte Morris led the bench with 22 points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals.
The Trail Blazers (2-4) were led by Damian Lillard, collecting 28 points, four rebounds and 13 assists, despite making just one shot in the second half. C.J. McCollum generated 21 points, four rebounds and three assists. Norman Powell had 17 points, four rebounds and two assists while Robert Covington compiled 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
That marks the end of the season for Portland. As for Denver, they'll play the winner of the Phoenix-Los Angeles series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
There were eight ties and nine lead changes in this critical Game 6, with Denver winning and advancing to the Western Conference Semi-Finals. They actually overcame a 14-point third-quarter deficit, riding a 28-14 fourth quarter to their comeback victory. That completed a 25-point swing in the final 17 minutes. Denver shot 51 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range. In addition, the Nuggets won the turnover battle, 16-12, and the points in the paint battle, 50-38.
The Nuggets (4-2) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 26 points, five rebounds and four assists, with all those points coming in the first half. Aaron Gordon amassed 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Monte Morris led the bench with 22 points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals.
The Trail Blazers (2-4) were led by Damian Lillard, collecting 28 points, four rebounds and 13 assists, despite making just one shot in the second half. C.J. McCollum generated 21 points, four rebounds and three assists. Norman Powell had 17 points, four rebounds and two assists while Robert Covington compiled 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
That marks the end of the season for Portland. As for Denver, they'll play the winner of the Phoenix-Los Angeles series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Suns Eliminate Reigning Champions Lakers
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 113-100, at Staples Center on Thursday night in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The Suns won the series 4-2.
The Suns won their third straight game on the series and once again used a strong start to get past the Lakers, as they jumped out to a 36-14 lead in the first quarter -- that score would set the tone for the rest of the contest. The Lakers didn't give up and won the subsequent two quarters, 27-26 and 35-27, respectively, but they were still down by 13 points with only 12 minutes left on the clock. Even though Los Angeles never gave up and attempted to turn things around down the stretch, Phoenix did a good job of closing things out and managed to escape with the win and the victory in the series, advancing to the Conference Semifinals for the first time in 11 years.
Devin Booker saved his best game of the current playoff run for Game 6, as the star shooting guard scored 47 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while logging 46 minutes. Jae Crowder had 18 points with eight rebounds, while Miles Bridges delivered 10 points. DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul only scored eight points apiece, but the latter also added 12 assists. Cameron Johnson added 10 points off the bench.
LeBron James did what he could to turn things around for the Lakers but it wasn't enough, and he ended with 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Davis only lasted five minutes before departing the game injured and didn't score a single point. Dennis Schroder ended with 20 points, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in with 19 points. Wesley Matthews also added 12 points.
The Suns won their third straight game on the series and once again used a strong start to get past the Lakers, as they jumped out to a 36-14 lead in the first quarter -- that score would set the tone for the rest of the contest. The Lakers didn't give up and won the subsequent two quarters, 27-26 and 35-27, respectively, but they were still down by 13 points with only 12 minutes left on the clock. Even though Los Angeles never gave up and attempted to turn things around down the stretch, Phoenix did a good job of closing things out and managed to escape with the win and the victory in the series, advancing to the Conference Semifinals for the first time in 11 years.
Devin Booker saved his best game of the current playoff run for Game 6, as the star shooting guard scored 47 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while logging 46 minutes. Jae Crowder had 18 points with eight rebounds, while Miles Bridges delivered 10 points. DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul only scored eight points apiece, but the latter also added 12 assists. Cameron Johnson added 10 points off the bench.
LeBron James did what he could to turn things around for the Lakers but it wasn't enough, and he ended with 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Davis only lasted five minutes before departing the game injured and didn't score a single point. Dennis Schroder ended with 20 points, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in with 19 points. Wesley Matthews also added 12 points.