Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from Game 3 win vs. Nuggets

3. The Rodney Hood Show continues

Backup wing Rodney Hood has taken his game to new heights in this series. He has been a steady presence throughout this series, appearing in all eight games so far while averaging 20.9 minutes per.

However, after averaging 9.6 points per game in his 27 regular season matchups with Portland and 3.2 points in the first round, his production has bumped up to 17.0 points per game with a 71.6 true shooting percentage in the conference semifinals.

Hood already had a solid Game 3 in regulation, leading the bench with 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 shooting from the free throw line. However, the seven points he added in the fourth overtime proved to be the most important.

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Head coach Terry Stotts put Hood in the game for a cramping Harkless with 1:59 left in the fourth OT. Hood proceeded to knock down two mid-range pull-up jumpers and the go-ahead 3-pointer before being subbed back out with 17.8 seconds remaining.

Seth Curry‘s free throws ultimately put the game away in Portland’s favor.

Hood has called his short stint in Portland “a breath of fresh air.” That comfort has turned into confidence, and now he is stepping into games and making big shots. Between him and Kanter, these midseason acquisitions really seem to be paying off.