The Portland Trail Blazers knew they’d have a scary time on Friday night, tasked with beating the conference-contending Denver Nuggets. Denver is a veteran team, former champions, anchored by perpetual NBA MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. The Blazers looked like a poodle nipping at the heels of a Doberman.

But you know what? Poodles still have teeth. They also have as much heart as any dog. The Blazers showed both, sticking close to Denver through bad stretches and opponent runs both. As bad as the Nuggets made Portland look–and it was pretty bad, at times–the game was tied with 4:00 left in the fourth period.

From there it was pure chaos that you had to see to believe. The closing minutes of the game featured huge shots from Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, plucky play from the Blazers

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