The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets played a marathon game in which the hosts prevailed after four overtimes. Enes Kanter again played with an injured shoulder. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are desperate to respond after a defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3.
Blazers go up 2-1 after 140-137 win in 4 OTs over Denver | Associated Press
The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets wrote a bit of history as their 4OT tilt was just the second one in NBA playoff history since 1953, and first in the shot clock era. The Blazers prevailed in dramatic fashion, and are now up 2-1 thanks to CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard, and Rodney Hood, who hit a late dagger three.
“I didn’t give up. I didn’t give up on myself, just kept playing, kept working,” Hood said. “I had no idea that I’d end up in Portland in this type of situation. But to be here, to have my family in the crowd when I saw a lot of sad faces last go-round, to be here is very emotional for me, to be quite frank.”
RODNEY HOOD STEALS GAME 3 IN 4OT
PORTLAND GOES UP 2-1 pic.twitter.com/Jf5IkD3eJx
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 4, 2019
Kanter plays on despite separating shoulder more | ESPN
Enes Kanter aggravated his left shoulder injury during the first overtime, but kept battling and posted a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds in 56 minutes.
“First overtime, I think I separated my shoulder more,” Kanter said postgame. “I had to tuck my arm into my jersey because I couldn’t carry my arm. I’m glad we got a win, man. Whatever it takes. You’ve got to sacrifice everything. I’m proud of my teammates.”
“The whole crowd was cheering,” Kanter added. “Dame [Lillard] came up to me and said, ‘Hey, one more overtime.’ He said this three times. ‘One more overtime. Come on, let’s play hard.’ I didn’t want to quit on my teammate.”
Whatever it freaking takes #RipCity pic.twitter.com/ok9l0Mf5I8
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) May 4, 2019
C’s Eager to Respond After Falling into 2-1 Hole vs. Bucks | NBA.com
The Boston Celtics lost home court as they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in front of their own fans 123-116. Now they must win Game 4 before the series moves back to Milwaukee.
“That’s the only way you can look at it,” Al Horford said of remaining positive going into Game 4. “We stole one over there. They came back here and obviously won tonight. We have to respond; we have to respond and win on Monday.”
“We just have to bring it to another level, being in the right spots, and really focusing on where we can take advantage on their defensive miscues,” said Kyrie Irving. “They turn their heads on plays where guys are driving to the basket. They still have that same frantic defense that made adjustments. Now we have to go back and watch film of instances in the game where we can control.”
Al Horford on #Celtics offensive execution vs #Bucks in Game 3 pic.twitter.com/N52P561OBp
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) May 4, 2019
Sources: Lakers Proceeding Towards Lue Offer | ESPN
According to the sources close to ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers will make an offer to Tyronn Lue to become their new head coach, and no other candidates are in play at this time. The Lakers’ other top target, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams, agreed to become the Phoenix Suns’ new head coach.
Tyronn Lue was reportedly always the top choice for the Lakers, and reportedly impressed the team with his X’s and O’s and a recommendation from Phil Jackson. https://t.co/mYxsS6Uovl pic.twitter.com/fypWliE0VJ
— Silver Screen and Roll (@LakersSBN) May 3, 2019
GSW: ‘Sense of urgency’ for Gm. 3 vs. Rockets | ESPN
Golden State Warriors are 2-0 up in the Western Conference semis series with the Houston Rockets, and they know they can’t relax for a moment after suffering two losses to the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1.
“We respected the Clippers, for sure,” Warriors forward Kevin Durant said. “Definitely don’t wanna put it that way. But we respect this team just ’cause we’ve played ’em before. We went seven games with ’em. So that level of respect and the level of knowledge about this team goes to another level when we play ’em. So yeah, we’re more locked in ’cause we know this team can beat us.”
“More of a sense of urgency right away,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr explained. “Obviously, that Clippers series, Game 2 changed the entire series — 31-point lead, and we blow it and we lose a game. Now it’s all different. We did a great job of getting off to the right start in Oakland — winning two, but playing hard throughout. So we’re in a good position, but there’s a long way to go, and we know that.”
the day before pic.twitter.com/FvDev4za5j
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 3, 2019
