Reggie Jackson scored 23 points, Aaron Gordon had 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-111 on Saturday night.
Despite missing Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets managed to secure the victory. It was a unique game for the Blazers, who fielded five rookies as starters for the second time in NBA history.
The Nuggets have been on a roll lately, winning eight of their last nine games and boasting a 14-2 record since the All-Star Break.
Coach Michael Malone praised his team’s resilience, especially in the absence of key players.
He acknowledged the Blazers’ strong third quarter but commended his team for making crucial plays down the stretch.
Rookie Duop Reath led the Blazers with 24 points, while Scoot Henderson contributed 22 points and six assists. However, the Blazers suffered their sixth consecutive loss.
Denver held a significant lead during the game, but Portland made a late surge in the final minutes. Despite the Blazers’ efforts, the Nuggets managed to maintain their lead and secure the win.
Portland’s improved three-point shooting in the second half helped them narrow the gap, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Denver’s lead. The game remained close until the final seconds, with Denver ultimately emerging victorious.
