Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. is lethal behind the three-point arc. On each side of the ball.
Porter recorded a game-high 4 blocks because the Denver Nuggets received their Christmas Day matchup with the Golden State Warriors, 120-114.
The most important got here with 1:13 remaining, with Denver clinging to a six-point lead. Porter swatted Klay Thompson’s three-pointer from the nook, and the Warriors by no means received nearer than 4 factors.
It wasn’t his first block on Thompson behind the arc. Within the third quarter, Porter swatted Thompson and took it in for a layup.
As a crew, the Nuggets did an incredible job of denying the Splash Brothers. Thompson and Stephen Curry mixed to shoot 6-for-23 on three-pointers.
Even with Chris Paul, rookie Brandin Podziemski (13 factors, 5 steals) and Andrew Wiggins (22 factors) combing on 8-for-13 taking pictures, Porter’s shot-blocking saved the Warriors and Nuggets even with 14 made threes every.
It additionally helped that the Nuggets nonetheless have Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who went an ideal 18-for-18 from the foul line. Regardless of making solely 4 subject targets, Jokic completed with 26 factors, 14 rebounds and eight assists — which is in some way a below-average recreation for him.
Jamal Murray completed with 28 factors, usually going head-to-head with fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins. However it was Porter’s 19 factors and 10 rebounds, even other than his protection, that proved Denver remains to be a minimize above its Western Convention rivals.
The Warriors have been climbing again into the playoff image with 5 straight wins. Christmas Day, Porter blocked their path.
