The Denver Nuggets dominated wire-to-wire in Game 5 of their second round series. They got there on their strength in the paint and a few other key areas.
The Denver Nuggets were dominant in Game 5 against the Portland Trail Blazers on their way to a 3-2 series lead.
Nikola Jokic led the team with 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting to go with an incredible 19 rebounds. Paul Millsap was rolling early as he finished with 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting with a 2-of-3 mark from 3-point range, including an impressive 4-point play.
Unfortunately for the Blazers, their lead duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum just couldn’t get it rolling. They were a combined 14-of-37, including 4-of-14 from 3, for just 34 points. When the Nuggets’ offense is rolling like it was, the Blazers’ offense needed those two to hit shots to keep up. They were unable to deliver Tuesday night.
Game 5 is in the books, and now the two teams head to Portland for a pivotal Game 6 where Portland can force a Game 7, or the Nuggets could close out the series. Both teams have shown flashes of utter dominance in this series, but the Nuggets are the ones on a two-game winning streak. If they’re able to maintain these three things in the final games, this series could be over.