AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets smiles as he walks off the court after the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets hoists Westley Unseld, son of Nuggets assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr., before the first quarter on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets jokes with Jamal Murray (27) before the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets stands for the national anthem before the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets jokes with Will Barton (5) as he is introduced, while Paul Millsap (4) waits for his introduction before the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots over Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers and CJ McCollum (3) during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers walks towards the bench for a timeout against the Denver Nuggets during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEvan Turner (1) of the Portland Trail Blazers backs down Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWilson Chandler (21) of the Denver Nuggets pats Jamal Murray (27) on the chest after he missed a three pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostHead coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets watches the action against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers falls into teammates as they celebrate a three pointer he made agains the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to getting called for a foul agains the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers is helped up by teammates Pat Connaughton (5) and Zach Collins (33) as Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets is helped up by Mason Plumlee (24) after the two collided during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMason Plumlee (24) of the Denver Nuggets is fouled by Zach Collins (33) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPaul Millsap (4) of the Denver NuggetsJamal Murray (27) and Nikola Jokic (15) react to their play late in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers argues a foul called against him, while playing the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets makes a game-clinching steal against CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers drives on Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets and Torrey Craig (3) during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers wrangles a ball away from Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets as Mason Plumlee (24) and Paul Millsap (4) assist on defense during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets drives past CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMason Plumlee (24) of the Denver Nuggets steals the ball from Pat Connaughton (5) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets high fives fans as he walks off the court after the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, April 9, 2018.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
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Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets smiles as he walks off the court after the second half of the Nuggets' 88-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, April 9, 2018.
ExpandBy AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 88-82 on Monday, April 9, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.























