Game 7 awaits as Blazers stay alive vs No. 2 Nuggets

MANILA, Philippines – The Portland Trail Blazers again displayed the resiliency they’ve shown all series. 

Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Rodney Hood combined for 87 points as the Blazers powered past the Denver Nuggets, 119-108, in Game 6 to stay alive with a 3-3 series tie in the NBA Western Conference semifinals on Thursday, May 9 (Friday, May 10, Manila time).

“My job is to stay aggressive, keep doing what I do, and the shots fell,” said Lillard.

Game 7 is set Sunday in Denver where the winner will advance to the finals against the victor of the series between defending champion Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets.

The Trail Blazers overcame another big game from Denver’s seven-foot star Nikola Jokic, who tallied 29 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. 

Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Rodney Hood become the first trio to all score 25+ PTS in a win when facing elimination since Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin, and Keith Van Horn (2002). pic.twitter.com/HZqAjluuD7

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 10, 2019

With their backs against the wall, Portland’s trio guard came out stellar as the Blazers recovered from a slow start that had them trailing in double digits early, 14-24.

Lillard rediscovered his shooting touch to finish with 32 points on a 6-of-13 clip from three-point range on top of 5 assists and 3 rebounds.

McCollum also delivered 30 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists as Rodney Hood unloaded a playoff career-high 25 points. 

After a tight 2nd quarter, the Blazers started to pick up in the 3rd where they turned a 75-76 deficit into an 87-78 advantage after a 12-2 spurt, the first 8 coming from Lillard.

McCollum and Hood made sure to keep the Nuggets at bay early in the 4th period, combining for 11 of the team’s first 14 points for a 101-88 spread.

Jamal Murray also had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the Nuggets, the No. 2 squad who also played full distance against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. – Rappler.com