NBA playoffs on May 3: Second 4OT playoff game in NBA history

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The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets 140-137 in the second four-overtime playoff game in NBA history at the Moda Center on Friday to lead the series 2-1. Meanwhile, playing away did not stop the Milwaukee Bucks from claiming straight wins as they beat the Boston Celtics 123-116 at the TD Garden.

Trail Blazers vs Nuggets: It's not as exciting as it sounds

Rodney Hood #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots a three-pointer against the Denver Nuggets at the Moda Center, May 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

The last time a four-OT playoff game happened in the NBA was in 1953 between the Boston Celtics and the Syracuse Nationals (today's Philadelphia 76ers). Portland had three players break the team's playing time record of 54 minutes in the playoffs held by Terry Porter and Jerome Kersey – C.J. McCollum (60 minutes), Damian Lillard (57 minutes) and Enes Kanter (56 minutes).

McCollum also dropped 41 points, tying his playoff career-high scoring and becoming the third Trail Blazer to score 40+ points more than once after Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Denver saw two of their players break the playing time record too as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray played 65 and 55 minutes respectively, both longer than the 50-minute-record held by Alex English and Bryant Stith.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Nuggets shoots in the game against the Trail Blazers, May 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Jokic's 65 minutes ranked fourth in NBA history, after the 67 minutes of Red Rocha and Paul Seymour and the 66 minutes of Bob Cousy. All three had created their records in the last 4-OT playoff game in 1953. Moreover, Jokic had a triple-double of 33 points, 18 rebounds and 14 assists. His points tally is the highest of all Denver players with triple-doubles in the playoffs.

The Trail Blazers and the Nuggets took 124 and 119 shots respectively in the game, the second and third most in NBA history behind the 130 shots tried by the Chicago Bulls in 1993.

C.J. McCollum #3 of the Trail Blazers dunks in the game against the Nuggets, May 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Despite all these historic numbers, it was not an exciting game. The Trail Blazers saw Lillard neutralized by Denver's defense so they had to rely on McCollum as their solution in offense. McCollum did everything he could, including trying to take over in all four OTs, but he was always one step from putting an end to the game like the No.1 leader of the franchise.

The Nuggets deserved praise for their resilience. They have no superstar who can carry the team's offense with isolation play but they have multiple choices, ranging from Murray, Paul Milsap to Gary Harris and Monte Morris, who are not good enough but always ready to stand out. However, there's still a lesson the Nuggets must learn: Jokic is the team's soul and it's extremely unwise to play offense without having him touch the ball.

Bucks vs Celtics: Bucks make people fear their talents

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks makes a layup against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden, May 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Boston did their best at home on Friday. Coach Brad Stevens reduced Aron Baynes' time on the court and gave it to Semi Ojeleye, who could always do a good job defending Giannis Antetokounmpo thanks to his strong lower body, so Boston would not leave too many open 3-pt shots for Milwaukee. Boston did well with their own offense too as they buried 16 three-pointers, one more than Milwaukee did.

However, the Bucks were the winners in the end. As in Game 2, they expanded the score difference with a scoring run in the third quarter (40-31). Antetokounmpo again almost ruined the Celtics' defense in the paint by earning 22 free throws. The Bucks led in both points in the paint (52-24) and turnover points (28-12).

George Hill #3 and Pat Connaughton #24 of the Bucks in action against the Celtics, May 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Nonetheless, there were other important reasons behind Milwaukee's victory this time and the answer was on the team's bench. Coach Mike Budenholzer put nine players in his rotation and the four from the bench squad claimed a total of 42 points, beating Boston's 16 in this area.

From Milwaukee's bench, Pat Connaughton scored 14 points and seven rebounds, using his efforts to help the Bucks stay in touch until Khris Middleton found his game back. George Hill got 21 points and 11 of them came from the last four minutes of Q3. By the way, after Hill finished his scoring run, the score changed from 79-79 to 95-84. These two together not only helped Milwaukee go through the most difficult period, but also established the big lead that brought them the final victory.

Khris Middleton #22 of the Bucks shoots against the Celtics, May 3, 2019. /VCG Photo

Friday's loss hurt Boston more than before because it revealed a cruel fact: Milwaukee might be better than Boston in more aspects than they had expected. So far Boston have been proud of their long bench – they have more players who can contribute in the game. However, the remarkable performance of Connaughton and Hill became the game changer this time while Antetokounmpo and Middleton were already giving Boston a hard time.

The Celtics need their backup players, especially Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, to do more before they can continue their fight with the Bucks in this series. Meanwhile, the Bucks are proving that they are not a one-man team and Antetokounmpo is not the only game changer of the franchise.