Deni Avdija scored 28 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets 118-110 on Monday night at Ball Arena. Portland improved to 4-0 on the road this season, while Denver dropped to 1-2 at home.
Donovan Clingan recorded 17 points and 18 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday added 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds off the bench. Damian Lillard contributed 20 points and six assists as Portland had five players score at least 17.
Jamal Murray led Denver with 35 points, shooting 10-for-19 from the field and making all 11 free throws. Nikola Jokic finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Christian Braun added 14 points.
Jokic entered the fourth quarter on the verge of his 201st career triple-double but did not record an assist or rebound in the final period. Denver’s two leading scorers combined for 61 points, but the Nuggets could not hold off Portland’s late push.
The Trail Blazers trailed for much of the first three quarters before Holiday’s layup late in the third gave them an 82-80 lead. Denver carried an 86-84 advantage into the fourth, but Portland opened the period with a 9-2 run to move in front.
Holiday’s third three-pointer made it 108-99, but Murray answered with a three to cut the deficit to 110-107. Toumani Camara then hit Portland’s final three-pointer with 1:09 remaining to help secure the win.
Portland shot 47% from the field and made 15 of 41 three-point attempts. The Nuggets shot 47% overall but were 9-for-26 from beyond the arc.
The victory extended Portland’s road winning streak to start the season to four games. The Trail Blazers are playing six of seven games away from home after opening the campaign with a home win over Phoenix.
Portland visits Phoenix on Wednesday, while Denver hosts Toronto.
