Nuggets lose to Blazers during an all-around ugly night at Pepsi Center

With a chance to take control of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Blazers on Wednesday night, the Nuggets stumbled on their home court for the second time this postseason, falling 97-90 to even the best-of-seven match-up at 1-1. The loss can best be described as frustrating, a feeling that boiled over at multiple junctures during the game.

It started in the second quarter, when Denver managed to put just 12 points on the scoreboard, their worst-ever quarter at home in the postseason. During that stretch, the Nuggets made just 5 of 23 shots from the field, missing all 10 of their three-point attempts in the process.

The ugly shooting display culminated in a 50-35 halftime deficit, a result that the home crowd was not happy about at all.

HALFTIME#Nuggets trailing #Blazers 50-35. Even a few boo’s raining down from the Pepsi Center crowd #Denver7

— Nick Rothschild (@nick_rothschild) May 2, 2019

Things didn’t get much better in the second half. Despite a valiant effort, one that included 14 offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter alone, the Nuggets couldn’t get over the hump. The inability to hit a big shot when they needed it, especially making only 8 out of 24 shots on second-chance attempts, eventually boiled over into frustration.

In the waning moments of the game, Denver players didn’t take kindly to Torrey Craig, who left in the first half with a bloodied nose, being knocked to the floor by Portland’s Enes Kanter. That led to some words being exchanged, and a pair of technical fouls being issued, heading into a timeout.

Enes Kanter and Jamal Murray earned double techs after a scuffle in Game 2 😬 pic.twitter.com/NBA762ipSK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 2, 2019

During the fracas, a few unruly patrons at Pepsi Center threw popcorn and other leftover concessions onto the court. They were quickly ejected.

But that wasn’t the only extracurricular activity in the stands. A couple of media members witnessed other poor behavior.

At least three fans have been escorted out by cops for fighting or throwing things. Other than that, things are going swimmingly at Pepsi Center.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 2, 2019

Pretty good little fight just broke out in Section 142. Nuggets fan carrying Serbian flag being escorted out. Woman in Blazers jersey right behind him.

— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) May 2, 2019

It was a fittingly ugly end to what was an ugly night at Pepsi Center.