Mauricio Codocea
05/24/2021 11:30 PM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 05/24/2021 11:55 PM
Facundo Campazzo and the Denver Nuggets had no answer for Damian Lillard in the first game of the first-round series in the NBA playoffs.
Tonight, they seek to equalize the process after falling in the first game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Denver knows that since the injury of Jamal Murray and without Will Barton, someone has to take care of a good number of points to accompany the always faithful Nikola Jokic.
And the Argentine began active, with five points in the first possessions of the game and also a steal to quickly take a 10 advantage (17-7).
💣💣 GRITALO FACUNDOOOOOO 💣💣 pic.twitter.com/28CTCriAXC
- TeamFacu (@ TeamFacu7) May 25, 2021
We live for Facu's reactions pic.twitter.com/vJgpENMiIG
- Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 25, 2021
In defense, coach Michael Malone bet on an adjustment: the perimeter Austin Rivers, the guard's companion, was the one who took care of Lillard's brand on several occasions, who despite the good record of the Argentine in his brand, in the first game He took two fast fouls that forced the Denver coach to replace the Argentine already in the first quarter.
Facundo, in that case, paired up with Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, another dangerous man with his pitch.
And just as for those who were visitors this Monday at the Ball Arena in the state of Colorado, the perimeter is their strong zone, the Nuggets are strengthened with the almost indefensible game of Jokic and the spaces that it generates.
There, in the paint, Campazzo's team took advantage (18 points against 4).
In that first quarter there was no lack of the typical spice of the playoffs (the equivalent of "Cup games" in football).
There were a couple of heated arguments and Carmelo Anthony was even charged a flagrant foul for a shove against Jokic.
Things are getting heated here in Denver as both benches meet at center court after a timeout is called.
pic.twitter.com/dz3HCY7V77
- Katy Winge (@katywinge) May 25, 2021
Still, the fact that the Nuggets didn't offer much defensive endurance allowed Portland (who made 50% of their shots and went on to have 71% 3s) to stay within six points at the end of the first quarter.
