Damian Lillard

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Count Stephen A. Smith, ESPN’s leader in hot takes, as a big fan of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić.

“He’s been absolutely sensational,” Smith said on Monday’s First Take. “You got to deal with Jokić because everything goes through him. I mean he’s such an exceptional passer. An exceptional basketball mind. I think he’s only 24 years old for crying out loud!”

Smith also praised Jamal Murray and revealed why he’s picking the Nuggets to win in seven. To hear his assessment of Murray and why he made his pick, check out the video below.

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First Take’s Stephen A. Smith raves about Nikola Jokić: He’s been absolutely sensational

If there were any questions about the resolve of Will Barton, he answered them loudly in Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.

The Denver Nuggets suffered a heart-breaking 140-137 four-overtime loss on Friday night, yet head coach Michael Malone should be encouraged by the resilience shown by his seventh-year small forward.

“Will has played well defensively, he’s rebounded [well], but tonight was the first game in the playoffs where he really had an impact on the offensive end of the floor,” Malone said after the game. “I thought he gave us a good lift, offensively, defensively and off the glass. It was great to see.”

After going scoreless in the opening three quarters, Barton would pour in 22 points in the fourth quarter and the overtime periods. He also had three crucial blocks in second and third overtime, two of which were on Portland’s superstar Damian Lillard. Barton played a valuable role in the Nuggets’ 54-win season, but he hasn’t been able to replicate his best form in the postseason. Prior to Friday night’s game, he was averaging 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds on 32.5 percent shooting.

READ MORE: Three takeaways from Nuggets' 140-137 four OT loss vs. Trail Blazers

Barton heard the boos due to his playoff struggles. And he’s handled a new role as a reserve in the postseason with class – pointing to advice fellow veteran Paul Millsap gave him.

“He just told me to keep my head up and no matter what happens, I’m still a bad [expletive],” Barton said with a laugh almost two weeks ago.

Barton was 0 of 4 entering halftime, but it didn’t discourage him in the second half. Whether he is scoring three points or 15, if there’s one constant, it’s his relentlessness. He’s constantly trying to make plays on both sides of the floor.

“I could’ve played another five overtimes,” Barton said after the game.

Barton’s turnaround started at 9:59 mark in the fourth quarter. Nikola Jokić fed him the ball for the open three and the 28-year-old converted to cut the score to 83-81. Two minutes later, Barton would hit another three to keep the score within. But one of his biggest moments of the night would come with 3:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, where he fought to get a crucial offensive rebound and tipped in a shot to even the score at 95.

“Just staying confident, my teammates found me,” Barton explained. “Just trying to play hard on both ends of the floor. Usually good things happen for you [when you do].”

He added, “I was just happy to be out there and given a chance to compete. [I] was just trying to make plays to help us win. That’s all.”

If there’s been one defining difference between these two closely-matched teams in the semifinals, it’s been the production of several role players. Despite the struggles of Lillard, who is shooting just 23.3 percent from downtown,  the Blazers hold a 2-1 series edge. Some of it is down to the play of fellow backcourt star CJ McCollum, who scored 41 points on Friday. But the Trail Blazers are also seeing several role players play bigger roles on offense in the Western Conference semifinals. Enes Kanter, Rodney Hood and Zach Collins are averaging a combined 44 points a game on an impressive 59.4 percent shooting.

Jokić, Jamal Murray and Millsap have carried the scoring load for the Nuggets in the opening three games of the semifinals, averaging 69.4 points. On Friday night, they saw one of their most important cogs get back to his best in Barton. Hopefully, his showing can inspire all-around performance on Sunday night.

“I’m happy for Will. I would’ve been happier if we pulled out the win, but we’re going to need everybody,” Malone said. “Guys are tired and going to be really drained, with the limits that we’re pushing them to. But Game 4, playoffs on the road, backs against the wall, let’s leave it all out there.”

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Denver Nuggets' Will Barton shows poise in historic Game 3 vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Prior to Game 1, Jamal Murray was asked if the Denver Nuggets had any noticeable advantages over the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference semifinals. The point guard paused, grinned and said, “I think Joker [Nikola Jokić] has a [good] matchup.”   His words would prove prophetic hours later.   Jokić was a force in the opening game of the second round series, going for 37 points, nine boards and six assists on 61.1 percent shooting. Despite several different coverages, Portland had no answer for Denver’s Serbian All-Star and the home team won 121-113.   “He’s a sponge, he picks it up. He sees how people are playing him and guarding him, and he makes the right play every time,” Paul Millsap said of Jokić after Game 1. “That’s what’s great about him, is he doesn’t force anything. He’s going to make the right reads, he’s like a quarterback out there. I consider him like a Tom Brady.   “He’s always going to pick you apart and make the right reads. Commend him for doing that at this stage in his career.”  Now, Brady might not be the most popular figure in the Mile High City – or outside of New England – but Millsap’s point was spot on. Jokić doesn’t force plays, he finds areas to exploit and takes advantage of it. It’s something he takes pride in.   “I think I’m capable of reading those defenses,” Jokic said confidently after Game 1.   With the Trail Blazers dealing with a season-ending injury to starting center Jusuf Nurkić and Enes Kanter nursing a bum shoulder, the team’s frontcourt options are limited. It’s an area the Nuggets were able to find the edge in on Monday night. As good as Jokić was in the opening game, Millsap made several significant plays in Game 1.   Portland’s star guard Damian Lillard pointed out the difficulties in guarding the veteran power forward in Tuesday’s media availability.   “First of all, he had guys on an island,” Lillard said. “Anytime you get a guy that’s as good as him on island, it’s going to be tough to stop him.”   Millsap poured in 10 points in the first quarter en route to a 19-point, six-rebound night against the Blazers. The success the Nuggets’ frontcourt is having isn’t an aberration, it’s was a factor in the regular season as well. The pair averaged 45 points, 17.4 rebounds and shot 62.5 percent from the field against Portland in the season series, where Denver went 3-1.  GAME 2 TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW In Game 1, the visitors tried to utilize Al-Farouq Aminu and Maurice Harkless on him with mixed results. In Game 2, the team might try to switch things up by putting Kanter on Millsap. The hope is the Turkish center’s familiarity with Millsap, they were teammates for two years, might be a benefit.   “I know his game, I would definitely feel comfortable going against him,” Kanter said on Tuesday.   Still, considering Kanter’s injury and his current defensive plus-minus is -1.6, the Nuggets will likely still have the edge in the frontcourt heading into Game 2.   “We’ve been playing inside-out all year, that’s where our strengths come from,” Millsap said. “For us to be effective, we’ve got to establish something down low, inside-out. I think when we do that and start games off like that, guys start hitting shots and the rhythm is there. It’s up to us set the tone.”

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Nikola Jokić, Paul Millsap showcase Nuggets' frontcourt advantage in Game 1 vs. Blazers

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