Nikola Jokic proved why he was named the NBA MVP for a third time after scoring 40 points to take the Denver Nuggets into a 3-2 series lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jamal Murray led the plaudits for his team-mate on the night. It was also a memorable game for Jalen Brunson, who dropped 44 points for the New York Knicks in their 121-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Nikola Jokic’s 40-point haul helped move the Denver Nuggets within one win of a place in the Western Conference final after a 112-97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was the perfect way for Jokic to mark receiving his third MVP trophy ahead of the game, while the Timberwolves succumbed to a third straight defeat for the first time this season.
Jokic also claimed 13 assists, while Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray took 18 and 16 respectively to move the defending champions 3-2 ahead in the series.
Thunder level at 2-2 with Mavericks as Celtics close on series win over CavsThunder level at 2-2 with Mavericks as Celtics close on series win over Cavs.
Karl Anthony-Towns top scored for the Timberwolves with 23 points, while Rudy Gobert added 18 on a frustrating evening for Chris Finch’s side.
Minnesota were hoping that Anthony Edwards would continue his electric form in this series having averaged 33.3 points from the first four games, but he missed eight of his first nine shots and failed to make a telling impact.
Murray led the plaudits for his team-mate Jokic on the night, and hailed the incredible atmosphere inside the Ball Arena.
“He’s amazing,” Murray said in quotes published by AP.
“Just the way he picks apart the game and reads the game and trusts his teammates.
“I’m guessing that for the big fella getting the trophy tonight probably motivated him a little bit. Just being at home was a lot of fun, the place was rocking, kind of felt the energy and he definitely had it going. So, the game plan was just give him the ball and we’ll figure it out.”
Minnesota’s Edwards also hailed Jokic and admitted that there was little the Timberwolves could do to stop the Serbian.
“I just laugh. That’s all I can do,” said Edwards.
“I can’t be mad. He’s good, man. I think I said that after Game 1 when we won, and Game 2, he’s the MVP. He’s the best player in NBA. He showed it the last three games, three games in a row. He was special tonight. I’ve got to give him his flowers. He was that guy tonight.”
Jalen Brunson took the New York Knicks to within one win of the Eastern Conference final after overcoming the Indiana Pacers with a 121-91 victory.
Brunson took 44 points on the night to surpass the 40-point mark in a game for the fifth time in the playoffs to put the Knicks 3-2 up in the series.
Josh Hart and Deuce McBride also both made telling contributions after claiming 18 and 17 points respectively in a brilliant night for the hosts at Madison Square Garden.
However, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau remained grounded knowing the job is not done yet.
“We still need one more win so we can’t get too excited about it,” said Thibodeau in quotes published by AP.
“We have to understand what we need to do, stay focused on the task at hand. If you feel good about yourself you get knocked down in this league. We’ve got to be ready to go.”
Pascal Siakam top scored for the Pacers with 22 points and Myles Turner added 16, as the Indiana outfit aim to win the sixth match at home to take this series into a decider.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle analysed where his side went wrong on the night and described the defeat as “a hard lesson.”
“We got annihilated on loose balls, rebounds. Gave up 20 offensive rebounds and 29 more shots. So, we all own it.
“But very embarrassing. Very embarrassing and a hard lesson.”