By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic met no problems changing scenery in the 2019 NBA Playoffs by beginning the quarterfinals series between the Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers with 37 points, nine boards, six helpers, three steals and two rejections in 41 minutes. His team secured the 121-113 home win. European teammate Juan Hernangomez didn’t leave the bench. Enes Kanter had 26 points and seven rebounds for the losing side filling in for injured Jusuf Nurkic and Damian Lillard ended up with a game-high 39 points.
Earlier, the Philadelphia 76ers knotted the best-of-seven series versus the Toronto Raptors, 1-1, with the 94-89 win at the Scotiabank Arena. Jimmy Butler scored 30 points including 12 in the final quarter, Boban Marjanovic added one rebound and Furkan Korkmaz didn’t play. On the other side, Marc Gasol finished with five points, seven boards, five assists and one block, Serge Ibaka with two points and one rebound and OG Anunoby remained out, while Kawhi Leonard dropped a game-high 35 points.