NBA Playoffs 2018-19: 3 talking points from Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers - Game 6

#3 Playoff Rodney Hood a whole different beast

Rodney Hood was traded to the Blazers in February.

Rodney Hood has been the X-factor that has made all the difference in tipping the scales for this Portland team. Courtesy of Hood's blazing 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, the Blazers finished the game with an eye-popping 46.1% conversion from the floor.

He came off the bench and dropped a playoff career-high total of 25 points in 32 minutes, including some clutch shots to keep his team afloat when the game hung in the balance.

“The talent has always been there,” said Hood. “It’s just God and the patience. It’s patience – everything isn’t going to happen how you want it to happen. I’m just grateful. I didn’t give up on myself and I just kept plugging at it. There’s a lot more basketball to play and I’m happy about that.”

The 26-year-old's postgame interview was drowned by chants of "Rodney! Rodney!" from the pumped up crowd at the Moda Center.