Blazers Stun nuggets with Last-Second Win, 109-107
PORTLAND, OR – The Portland Trail Blazers overcame a sluggish start adn a dominant Denver Nuggets performance to snatch a 109-107 victory Wednesday night, fueled by clutch plays down the stretch and a game-winning pair of free throws from Jerami Grant. The improbable win improves Portland’s record to 4-0 to start the season.
The Blazers found themselves trailing for much of the night, struggling to find their rhythm against a Denver zone defence that held them to just 7-26 shooting in the frist quarter, including 1-12 from three-point range. Nikola Jokic exploited Portland’s full-court pressure with long outlet passes,leading to 25 fast break points for the Nuggets compared to Portland’s 12.
Though, the Blazers refused to fade. Toumani Camara emerged as a key defensive force in the final moments,blocking a Cam Johnson layup and forcing a jump ball with Jokic with 6.9 seconds remaining while playing with five fouls. These crucial stops set the stage for Grant’s decisive free throws as Jokic’s potential game-tying attempt fell short.
The victory carried a distinct echo of “Dame Time,” with several Blazers stepping up to deliver clutch performances reminiscent of former guard Damian Lillard.
Despite controlling the pace for much of the game, the Nuggets were unable to close out the win. Portland opted for a small-ball lineup in the final minutes, even while facing the league’s top big man in Jokic.
The Blazers will look to continue their winning streak when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night at 7:00 PM Pacific.
