Thursday 2 May 2019 08:05, UK
CJ McCollum top scored with 20 points as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets 97-90 to level their Western Conference semi-final series at 1-1.
In a game won ultimately by Portland's strong second-quarter defense - the Blazers held the Nuggets to just 12 points in the period - McCollum was the only player on either side to reach 20 points.
He shot 8-of-20 from the field, including 3-of-7 from three-point range, made 1-of-2 free throws and also provided six rebounds and six assists.
McCollum's highlight play of the night came late in the game as he thwarted the Nuggets' hopes of a fourth-quarter rally with his long-range shooting.
The Nuggets had reduced their deficit to seven points with 4:41 left in the game when Damian Lillard clanked a three-point shot off the back of the rim.
McCollum snared the offensive rebound and, as the Nuggets defense failed to react, dribbled back behind the three-point line.
Denver guard Jamal Murray raced out to contest McCollum's three but he was too late as the Blazers guard sank a triple that extended his team's lead to 10 points.
Game 3 takes place in Portland in the early hours of Saturday morning (3:30am).
