Hood steps up in 4OT victory

Rodney Hood checked back into the game, a fresh body among the weary ones all over the court.

Eager for postseason redemption after struggling in the playoffs last year, Hood got his chance Friday night.

All he had to do was wait until an NBA postseason record-tying fourth overtime.

Hood hit the key 3pointer with 18.6 seconds left and the Trail Blazers beat the Nuggets 140-137 to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Hood was a starter for the Cavaliers last season when the playoffs opened, but fell out of favor and refused to check into the final minutes of a blowout win in the second round. He was acquired by the Blazers in a February trade.

“I didn’t give up,” he said. “I had no idea that I’d end up in Portland in this type of situation. But to be here, to have my family in the crowd when I saw a lot of sad faces last go-round ... is very emotional for me, to be quite frank.”

It was just the second quadruple-overtime playoff game in NBA history.

CJ McCollum matched his career playoff high with 41 points for the Blazers, who stretched their winning streak at home to 12 games dating back to the regular season.

Hood scored seven points in the final OT.

Nikola Jokic finished with 33 points, 18 boards and 14 assists, but missed a crucial free throw with 5.6 seconds to go. The 7-footer played 65 minutes, two shy of the playoff record.

Game 4 is Sunday in Portland.

Raptors’ Siakam out?

The Raptors said Pascal Siakam is doubtful for Sunday’s Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers with a right calf contusion.

Siakam has been the Raptors’ second-leading scorer, averaging 22.9 points per game.

Siakam was called for a flagrant foul when he stuck his right leg in the path of 76ers’ Joel Embiid during the fourth quarter of Thursday’s Game 3 loss. Embiid’s knee appeared to strike Siakam’s calf. Siakam left the game moments later and didn’t return.

The Raptors trail 2-1 in the series. Sunday’s game is in Philadelphia.