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Duke Basketball: Rodney Hood becoming unsung hero for Trail Blazers

By Kevin Connelly

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 01: Rodney Hood #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes to the basket against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game Two of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 01: Rodney Hood #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes to the basket against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game Two of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers have been led by the heroics of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in the NBA Playoffs, but former Duke Basketball star Rodney Hood is becoming an unsung hero for the team.

There’s no secret about it and no hiding from it, Rodney Hood struggled greatly in the Portland Trail Blazers First Round victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In the five game series, he only averaged 3.2 points per game and went scoreless in the series clinching Game 5 victory.

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However, those struggles seem to be in the rearview mirror as Hood has flipped the script through the first two games in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.

Yes, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are still the leaders on this Portland team, but Hood has emerged as an unsung hero off the bench in the first two games of the series.

In Game 1, Hood posted 17 points in 18 minutes, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range, almost single handily keeping the Trail Blazers in the game at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, before Lillard was subbed back in.

Denver was able to take Game 1 121-113, but Rodney Hood was back and ready to go in Game 2 off the bench for Portland.

Hood’s minutes increased to 27 on Wednesday night, as he was able to contribute 15 points, three rebounds, and three blocks as the Trail Blazers were able to tie the series at one game apiece with a 97-90 victory.

The former First Round draft pick of the Utah Jazz was 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-6 from 3-point range.

Outside of Lillard and McCollum the Blazers have stretches in the game where it is difficult to score, and if Hood can continue to be a consistent option for Terry Stotts off the bench, the Blazers become that much more of a dangerous team.

Rodney Hood and the rest of the Portland Trail Blazers return home for Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, May 3, at 10:30pm ET on ESPN.

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