The Denver Nuggets lost its first game of the season, falling to the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-102, on Thursday night. The Nuggets entered the final quarter of play down just four points and had even taken a lead midway through the frame, but they were unable to hold it.
With 7:45 left in the game, the Nuggets held a 93-90 lead and saw it evaporate into a 98-98 tie with 5:39 to go. The Blazers then went on 13-4 run to end the game.
Ty Lawson continued his hot start to the season, scoring 25 points. Arron Afflalo added 19 while Nene put in 10 points and nine rebounds. However, the team collectively had a poor shooting night, only making 40.2 percent of it field goals. They sank just four of 20 three-point attempts.
Timofey Mozgov played just seven minutes after picking up three fouls in the first three and a half minutes of the first quarter.
Wesley Matthews and Raymond Felton scored 25 and 23 points, respectively. The Blazers outrebounded the Nuggets, 50-30, but they had a horrible turnover margin, 25-7 in favor of the Nuggets.
The 2-1 Nuggets take Friday off before beginning a back-to-back-to-back against the Los Angeles Lakers twice and the Milwaukee Bucks,
For more on this game, visit Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs and Trail Blazers blog Blazers Edge. Check out SB Nation NBA for more news and notes around the league.