Celtics Vs Nuggets: Denver’s 157-103 rout in Portland sets franchise road scoring mark
In a performance that will be noted in wider league conversations, including celtics vs nuggets debates, the Denver Nuggets demolished the Portland Trail Blazers 157-103 in Portland, Ore., a night that produced both franchise and season scoring milestones.
Nuggets’ output becomes Denver road and season benchmark
The 157-103 final on Friday night at Moda Center was the most points the Nuggets have ever scored on the road and the most by any NBA team this season. Denver’s 157 points also represent the most the team has scored in regulation; the only larger Denver total was a 184-point game in 1983 that included three overtimes. The Nuggets poured in 82 points in the first half — the second-most in a half in franchise history — and pushed their advantage to as many as 55 in the second half.
Jokic’s efficient stat line powered the rout
Nikola Jokic finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 1/2 minutes. He scored 19 points in the first quarter and had 24 by halftime. Jokic was 10 of 15 from the field overall and made 3 of 4 3-pointers.
Splashing from deep: Murray, Strawther and Hardaway Jr. bolster offense
Jamal Murray added 25 points in the victory, coming a night after he missed the third of three free throws with 0. 9 seconds left in a 115-114 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles. Julian Strawther and Tim Hardaway Jr. each scored 19 points. Denver finished 21 of 41 on 3-pointers for the game and went 13 of 22 (59%) from long range in the first half.
The game came on the second night of a back-to-back for Denver after the loss in Los Angeles on Thursday. The Nuggets entered the contest listed at 36-21, while Portland came in at 27-30; Portland simply could not keep up offensively in a dismal night at Moda Center.
Blazers’ rotation changes and coach reaction
Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray returned to Portland’s lineup; Thybulle had been out since Oct. 29 and Kris Murray had been out since Jan. 5. Thybulle finished with five points and three steals, and Kris Murray recorded a point and a rebound. Jrue Holiday led the Trail Blazers with 19 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds but also committed six turnovers.
Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter called it “one of our worst games of the season. ” He added that “the Nuggets had a sense of urgency to win this game. They lost last night, I think 3 of their last 5 games. And coming off the break, we were just not ready. ”
Celtics Vs Nuggets conversations and what comes next
Denver’s 157-point outburst — the most scored in a road game in Nuggets history and the most by any NBA team this season — is likely to factor into evaluations in discussions such as celtics vs nuggets given the scale of the offensive performance. The Trail Blazers travel to Phoenix on Sunday night.
