Denver Nuggets secured their spot within the subsequent spherical of the playoffs on Tuesday by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-109 in Game 5 of their first-round sequence.
The victory was due largely to the excellent efficiency of Nikola Jokic, who achieved a triple-double, and Jamal Murray, who contributed 35 factors to the profitable effort.
Anthony Edwards, who led Minnesota with 29 factors, hit the again iron on a 27-foot 3-point try on the buzzer that might have despatched the sport into extra time.
Jokic overcame a sluggish offensive begin to end with 28 factors, 17 rebounds and a dozen assists. He made simply 8 of 29 photographs, however scored eight factors down the stretch to assist the Nuggets fend off the pesky Timberwolves.
Michael Malone handed Doug Moe along with his twenty fifth playoff win as Nuggets head coach.
The top-seeded Nuggets will face the winner the Phoenix Suns sequence within the second spherical.
Suns 136, Clippers 130
Devin Booker scored 47 factors, together with 25 in a spectacular third quarter, to steer the Suns previous the Clippers and win the Western Conference first-round playoff sequence in 5 video games.
The Clippers didn’t go quietly, almost getting back from a 20-point deficit early within the fourth.
Los Angeles had a number of possibilities to tie within the remaining three minutes, however might by no means convert. Durant made a layup to push Phoenix’s result in 134-130 after which made two free throws to place the Suns up six with 31.3 seconds left.
Durant completed with 31 factors whereas Deandre Ayton had 21 factors and 11 rebounds. Booker shot 19 of 27 from the sphere.
Norman Powell led Los Angeles with 27 factors whereas Mason Plumlee scored 20 off the bench.
Hawks 119, Celtics 117
Trae Young had 38 factors and drained a protracted go-ahead 3-pointer from past the highest of the important thing with 2.8 seconds left to assist Atlanta cap a late comeback and beat Boston.
The victory trims Boston’s lead within the first-round playoff sequence to 3-2 and sends the groups again to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.
John Collins added 22 factors for Atlanta, who performed with out Dejounte Murray, who was suspended for one sport for bumping official Gediminas Petraitis along with his chest whereas strolling off the courtroom after the tip of Game 4.
Jaylen Brown scored 35 factors and Jayson Tatum added 19 for the Celtics, who had been outscored 37-25 within the fourth quarter.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
