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SPORTS Saturday 11 May 2019
Blazers force Game 7 with 119-108 victory over Denver

By ANNE M. PETERSON in Portland was better than
AP Sports Writer our Game 6 in San Anto-
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The nio,” Nuggets coach Mi-
shots were finally falling for chael Malone said. “Now
Damian Lillard. we go home and have the
Lillard had 32 points, includ- best home-court advan-
ing 17 in the third quarter, tage in the NBA.”
and the Portland Trail Blaz- Denver led by as many as
ers staved off elimination to 10 points in the opening
force a decisive Game 7 in quarter but Portland went
their series with Denver with on an 11-4 run to start the
a 119-108 victory on Thurs- second quarter that closed
day night. the gap to 38-37.
Lillard had been fairly quiet After his 3-pointer gave
for the previous two games Portland the lead, Lillard
in the semifinal series, both added a layup to extend
Portland losses. it and Portland led 58-54
“I think over the course of at halftime after outscoring
the series, at least after the Nuggets 32-20.
Game 1, I just haven’t seen Jokic’s third-quarter
the ball go in consistently 3-pointer briefly gave the
enough,” Lillard said. “My Nuggets a 76-75 lead, but
job is to stay aggressive, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, left, shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris, Lillard answered with his
keep doing what I do, and center, and center Nikola Jokic, right, during the second half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball own 3 to reclaim it.
tonight, shots fell.” second-round playoff series Thursday, May 9, 2019, in Portland, Ore. Lillard’s sixth 3-pointer of
The series now shifts to Den- Associated Press the game put Portland up
ver, where the Nuggets will haven’t advanced to the Seth Curry’s 3-pointer gave out and Portland closed 83-78. He had 17 points in
have a chance to make it conference finals since the Blazers a 101-88 lead out the win. the third quarter alone and
to the Western Conference the 2000 playoffs. Rodney with 7:24 left. Things got The Nuggets were in this the Blazers led 87-80 going
finals for the first time since Hood came off the bench heated midway through situation before: They lost into the fourth.
2009. Denver has been to with a career playoff-high the final period after Jokic on the road to San Antonio Lillard was reminded after
the conference finals three 25 points and fans at the was called for an offensive in Game 6 in the opening the game that he’s never
times in franchise history. Moda Center drowned out foul and the players got round, forcing that series to played in a Game 7 in his
The winner of Sunday’s his postgame on-court in- into a shoving match and return to Denver for the de- career.
game will face the winner terview by chanting “Rod- had to be separated. ciding game. “It’s basically a game
of the series between the ney! Rodney!” After a review, there were After Portland won the qua- where only one team is go-
Golden State Warriors and Nikola Jokic led the Nug- offsetting technicals in- druple-overtime marathon ing to make it out,” he said.
the Houston Rockets. The gets with 29 points and 12 volving Denver’s Will Bar- of Game 3, Denver beat “It’s your last opportunity
defending NBA champion rebounds, while Jamal Mur- ton and Torrey Craig, and Portland at home to even to play, so facing elimina-
Warriors have a 3-2 advan- ray added 24 points and 10 Curry and Zach Collins for the series. Then Paul Millsap tion is what it is to me, and
tage in the series after a rebounds. Portland. had 24 points to spark Den- that’s going to be my ap-
104-99 victory on Wednes- “We’ll go back home, re- Lillard hit an off-balance ver’s 124-98 blowout of the proach, just like it was to-
day night. Game 6 is set for group, like we did for San jumper that put Portland Blazers on Tuesday night night. The only thing is that
Friday in Houston. Antonio, come back with up 106-93. The Nuggets got — and put Portland on it’s going to be on the road.
CJ McCollum added 30 energy and just be ready within 113-103 with 1:04 left, the verge of elimination.”I It’s for our season. All the
points for the Blazers, who to play,” Murray said. but Craig and Jokic fouled thought our Game 6 here marbles.”q

NCAA committee proposes

moving 3s to international line

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Rules committee members the committee’s chairman.
NCAA men’s basketball made their proposals after “We believe this will remove
rules committee is propos- receiving feedback from some of the congestion on
ing moving the 3-point line the coaches who compet- the way to the basket.”
to the international dis- ed in the NIT each of the The line moved out a foot to
tance and resetting the past two years, which used 20 feet, 9 inches before the
shot clock to 20 seconds fol- the international line on an 2008-09 season. The NCAA In this April 4, 2019, file photo, NCAA President Mark Emmert
lowing offensive rebounds. experimental basis. said the 3-point percent- answers questions at a news conference at the Final Four
Both rules could take effect The international 3-point age dipped from 35.2% in college basketball tournament in Minneapolis.
next season in Division I. distance is 22 feet, 1.75 2007-08 to 34.4% in 2008-09 Associated Press
College basketball’s other inches, a little more than a with that change, though NCAA stating the commit- place only when a shot has
two divisions would wait foot back from the current it eventually climbed back tee believes the full 30-sec- hit the rim.
until 2020-21 to move the college line. to 35.2% in Division I by the ond clock isn’t needed The committee also pro-
3-point line because of the “Freedom of movement in 2017-18 season. when the offensive team posed:
cost. the game remains impor- The proposal for the shot- securing the rebound al- — Assessing Flagrant 2
The Playing Rules Oversight tant, and we feel this will clock change was de- ready is in the front court. fouls, which include ejec-
Panel will vote on the rec- open up the game,” said signed to improve the As with the current rule, tions, if derogatory epithets
ommendations June 5. Colorado coach Tad Boyle, pace of the game, with the the clock reset would take are used. q