NBA Playoffs 2019: CJ McCollum, Rodney Hood come up big as Trail Blazers even series with Nuggets

Gilbert McGregor

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NBA Playoffs 2019: CJ McCollum, Rodney Hood come up big as Trail Blazers even series with Nuggets image

After suffering an eight-point loss to the Nuggets in Game 1, the Portland Trail Blazers bounced back by earning a seven-point victory in Game 2.

CJ McCollum led the way for the Blazers with a game-high 20 points while their bench scored 32 points led by a 15-point performance from Rodney Hood.

If you missed any of the action, check below for score updates, news, stats and highlights from throughout Game 2.

Final: Trail Blazers 97, Nuggets 90 (Series tied 1-1)

On a night where Damian Lillard scored just 14 points, Portland managed to even the Western Conference Semifinals at one game apiece thanks to big performances from CJ McCollum (20 points), Rodney Hood (15 points) and Enes Kanter (15 points).


It was a rough offensive outing for Denver, who shot just 34-for-98 (34.7%) from the field and 6-for-29 (20.7%) from beyond the arc. The Nuggets kept things close by grabbing 23 offensive rebounds, but they led to just 20 second-chance points.

Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver with 16 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists but was 7-for-17 from the field for the game. Jokic was one of five Nuggets to finish in double figures, but no player on the team shot above 50% in the game.

End of third quarter:  Trail Blazers 78, Nuggets 64

Both offences got going in the third quarter, combining to score 57 points, but the Blazers are still up double-digits ahead of the final frame.

Damian Lillard got going in the third, scoring seven of his 13 points in the game but Enes Kanter still leads all scorers with 15 points to go along with eight rebounds.

Denver is led by 13 points from reserve guard Malik Beasley but will look to Nikola Jokic in the final frame. Jokic has attempted just nine shots on the night but has eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists; he also has four fouls on the night.


After leaving the game with a nose contusion, the Nuggets Torrey Craig returned to action and received plenty of love from the Pepsi Center crowd.


Halftime:  Trail Blazers 50, Nuggets 35

The Blazers see their lead balloon up to 15 points at the break after they outscored the Nuggets 22-12 in the second quarter.


Portland received a boost from its bench, which scored 18 points in the quarter while Denver's reserves scored just two points in the second.

The Nuggets are having a rough shooting game as they have missed their last 10 3-point attempts. They enter the half shooting 4-for-20 (20.0%) from deep and 14-for-43 (32.6%) from the field. The Blazers aren't shooting much better from deep (4-for-16), but are 20-for-48 (41.7%) from the field.

It was a gruelling quarter injury-wise, as the Blazers Moe Harkless exited the game after spraining his ankle and is questionable to return


Earlier in the quarter, Nuggets starter Torrey Craig took an unintentional shot to the face and is questionable to return with a nasal contusion


End of first quarter:  Trail Blazers 28, Nuggets 23

After leading by as many as nine points in the first frame Portland takes a five-point lead into the second.


Blazers centre Enes Kanter leads all scorers with nine points to go along with five rebounds and has set the tone early with his energy. Moe Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and CJ McCollum have each chipped in with five points for the visitors while Damian Lillard has added four points and an assist.


Six points from both Gary Harris and Malik Beasley pace the Nuggets, who closed the quarter on a small run to make the deficit a bit more manageable.


Nikola Jokic has grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists but has yet to get on the board yet as he is 0-for-1 from the field.

Pregame

Starting for Portland :

Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Moe Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Enes Kanter

Denver will go with a starting five of Jamal Murray, Torrey Craig, Gary Harris, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.