Denver nuggets avert Portland Trail Blazers, 132-121

On By Littum

In the second consecutive game, Denver Nuggets turned out too much for the Portland Trail Blazers. Monday night it had died of Nikola Jokic. Tonight it was dead by Jamal Murray. The Denver guard broke out for 55 points to help give Blazers a 132-121 loss.

Denver claimed control early and went up 40-27 after the first quarter. Then the nuggets’ lead tossed between eight points and 23 points the rest of the way. Blazers hung in and made a few races and forced Denver to keep his starters in until the end, but the nuggets held on for a relatively pleasant win.

Player of the game: Donovan Clingan. Rookie Center Donovan Clingan, who entered the starting lineup with Deandre Ayton Out, was a strain to handle in the paint. In 31 minutes, Clingan produced 17 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks while shooting 7-12 from the floor. All his buckets came in the paint of passes and put-backs, production aid by his 10 offensive rebounds. Honest mention: Jabari Walker. Backing the Clingan on the five Walker gave an effective burst from the bench. He produced 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals, shooting 6-7 from the field and 3-3 from deep. He also tore seven straight points in the second quarter in an impressive sequence that included a strip-and-score.

State at night: 129-76. Blazers Bench Outscorated the Nuggets bench, 45-3, which is great until you realize that Nuggets Starter’s outscored their blazers colleagues, 129-76. The 50 bomb from Murray did a lot of damage, but 26 and 21 from Jokic and Christian Braun respectively made Denver undeniable.

What we will remember: Toumani blocked joker. Camara added another signature height to his NBA All-Defense campaign as he blocked Jokic in the second quarter. It looked like Jokic had a light layup, then Camara flew in from behind to refuse the three-time MVP. It was one of Camara’s three blocks at night.

Box score

What is next: Little Time for the All-Star break. Blazers are out of NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. Then they return to the moda center for a matchup toward Los Angeles Lakers and new pickup Luka Doncic next Thursday, February 20th.