Monster effort from Nikola Jokic carries Nuggets past Trail Blazers in series opener

DENVER --- The Denver Nuggets avoided both an emotional letdown and another Damian Lillard masterpiece. Forty-eight hours after dispatching the Spurs in their first Game 7 triumph in 41 years, the Nuggets rode a 37-point performance from Nikola Jokic to a 121-113 win over the well-rested Portland Trail Blazers in the opener of their second-round series Monday night. Lillard, who struck for 50 points, including a 37-footer at the buzzer to oust Oklahoma City in five games, scored two more points than Jokic. But he had a-half dozen turnovers, missed 8 of 12 3-point attempts and Gary Harris blocked his 3 from behind in the closing minute to keep the Trail Blazers from closing in. ...

Keep on reading: Monster effort from Nikola Jokic carries Nuggets past Trail Blazers in series opener

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