David Adelman didn't have an explanation for Portland's performance.
Basketball, like all sports, is subject to variability.
By the end of the season, teams do separate into categories of who's definitively good and who's definitively bad, but that doesn't mean that the human aspect of the game goes out the window.
On any given night, no matter what a team's numbers on paper say they should perform like, something special can happen. That was the case in Monday's matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers, and while the Nuggets came away with the 137-132 win, the Trail Blazers still found a way to make it interesting.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) attempts a shot as Denver Nuggets forward Cam Johnson (23) and guard Christian Braun (0) defend as forward Aaron Gordon (32) and center Nikola Jokic (15) look on in overtime at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesA Huge Night Beyond the Arc
Portland unleashed an onslaught of three pointers, going 25-52 from beyond the arc to help them jump out to a 72-58 lead at the half. Toumani Camara led the Trail Blazers with eight triples while Jrue Holiday followed with five on his own.
The way that Portland handled the ball from beyond the arc would be impressive regardless, but where they've historically sat this season when it comes to three point shooting is what had Nuggets head coach David Adelman baffled.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dunks the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle (4) as guard Scoot Henderson (00) and forward Aaron Gordon (32) and guard Jrue Holiday (5) and center Robert Williams III (35) look on in overtime at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images"We didn't shoot it well and they're [Portland] 29th in the NBA in three point percentage and they made 25 threes. So, it was a weird game in a lot of ways," Adelman said (via Nuggets). "I think there was a frustration in, 'Oh my god, everyone on their team is making shots."
Human Variability
That's right, the Trail Blazers are scraping the bottom of the NBA in three point percentage, yet went off for one of the most remarkable performances from beyond the arc of this entire season.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and center Nikola Jokic (15) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesThat's where the human element of the NBA comes in and goes to show that no matter what numbers or track records say, anything can happen on any given night in professional basketball.
The way that Portland jumped ahead so early in the game was clearly shocking to the Nuggets, who responded with a 38-point fourth quarter to tie the game up and force overtime, where they claimed the advantage and took home the win.
Denver Nuggets forward Cam Johnson (23) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesDenver's Comeback
The Nuggets couldn't match the Trail Blazers in three point shooting as they made just twelve of their triples, but their advantage in the game came with the volume of shots they created and the efficiency at which they executed those shots.
Denver attempted 101 field goals and shots 51% from the field, but Adelman thought they could have made even more shots based on the looks that they had, which appears ludicrous when staring down a 51% efficiency rate.
Something was clearly in the air in Denver, but despite the Trail Blazer's best efforts, the Nuggets came away with the win.