Denver Nuggets: 3 takeaways from Game 3 loss vs. Blazers

3. Another slow start

Both teams struggled out of the gate. But the Nuggets couldn’t capitalize on a Blazers club that missed their first six field-goal attempts.

Denver would relinquish an early lead, and a 7-0 Portland run to close the quarter gave the Blazers a 23-17 advantage. It was the seventh time in these playoffs that the Nuggets were outscored in the opening period.

Denver was settling for outside shots and didn’t earn a trip to the line until the 11:32 mark of the second quarter. Paul Millsap missed both free throws.

All four of Denver’s first-half turnovers were committed by Nikola Jokic. Enes Kanter did a decent job staying in front of him, but Jokic was looking to facilitate rather than create.

The Nuggets mirrored his hesitancy. And it wasn’t until Jamal Murray caught fire that they seemed to regain their confidence.

Murray scored 12 points in the quarter to keep Denver within striking distance. There were 10 lead changes in the first half as Portland entered the break up 48-47.

The Nuggets’ slow start didn’t spell their doom this time. But they’ll have to begin Game 4 with a better sense of urgency.  Particularly, on offense, where they shot only six free throws in the first half of Game 3. The Blazers shot 15.