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. “We just made him uncomfortable,” said Jamal Murray, who added 23 points and eight assists for Denver to go with just one turnover.
Gary Harris Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 09/14/94
Height: 6-4 / 1.93
Weight:205 lbs. / 93 kg.
Salary: $16,517,857
Born: 09/14/94
Height: 6-4 / 1.93
Weight:205 lbs. / 93 kg.
Salary: $16,517,857
White is also having the tough task of guarding Denver’s Jamal Murray and at times Gary Harris. He is also learning that the postseason is much more physical than the regular season. “They (Nuggets) are just being more physical and not letting me get to my spot,” White said recently.
Harrison Wind: Important context on Nikola Jokic passing on his technique to relieve pain in the groin region to Gary Harris: He says on Inside the NBA that his brother, Nemanja, an MMA fighter, told him that jumping and hitting the ground with your heels relieves the pain.
With the Spurs down 110-92, DeRozan drove to the hoop and was called for a charge on Nuggets guard Gary Harris. DeRozan then slung the ball high and over toward Foster, who was standing about 30 feet away along the right sideline. DeRozan was assessed two technical fouls by official Rodney Mott and ejected from the game. Asked to explain what led to his ejection, DeRozan said, “Frustration. I thought it was a bad call. Combination of both.”
Michael Singer: Gary Harris on whether Jamal Murray took what Derrick White did in Game 3 personally: “I think we all did. Not just Jamal. It just wasn’t on him. It was on all of us. I think we’re all going to take it personally.”
