Former Jazzman Rodney Hood Leads Portland To Big Playoff Victory
May 4, 2019, 2:31 PM
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, Ore. – In a grueling four-overtime game, just the second such playoff game in NBA history, former Utah Jazzman Rodney Hood came up clutch for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland defeated the Denver Nuggets 140-137 to take a 2-1 series lead, led by 19 points by Hood, who had some key baskets down the stretch.
In the fourth overtime period, Hood scored seven of Portland’s final nine points in the game to get the home court victory over the Nuggets. Hood’s 3-pointer to put the Trail Blazers up 138-136 was the nail in the coffin.
MORE LIKE RODNEY GOOD AMIRITE pic.twitter.com/aiHITWiTXH
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 4, 2019
Long Road To Playoff Success
Since being drafted by the Jazz out of Duke University with the 23rd overall pick back in 2014, Hood has had an up and down basketball career.
He emerged as a valuable contributor for the Jazz early on, averaging a career-high 14.5 points per game in his second year in 2015-16.
Once Gordon Hayward left for Boston after the 2016-17 season, Hood was expected to carry the majority of the scoring load for Utah. However, the emergence of Donovan Mitchell created a situation where Hood was no longer needed.
4th time's a charm. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/KRZx6Ci8sw
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 4, 2019
He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that involved Jae Crowder during the 2017-18 season. He was on the Cleveland team that advanced all the way to the NBA Finals, but Hood had little impact on the squad.
Hood was traded to Portland near the trade deadline this season.
Mitchell Praises Hood
Mitchell was especially happy for Hood and his big game on Friday and sent out this praiseworthy tweet.
I tell everyone that @rodneyhood had one of the biggest impacts on me my rookie season… went out of his way to make sure I was good when that isn’t the norm… a real dude in this league I’m happy as hell for him he deserves this moment 🙏🏾🙏🏾💯💯
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 4, 2019
Portland was also led by 41 points by CJ McCollum and 28 by former Weber State star Damian Lillard.
Game 4 between Portland and Denver will tip off Sunday at 5 p.m. and be broadcast on TNT.
