Nikola Jokic was practically uncontainable towards Oklahoma City’s relentless protection Tuesday night time, pouring in 44 factors and grabbing 15 rebounds whereas taking pictures 17 of 25 – many underneath heavy strain.
But even that brilliance wasn’t sufficient.
The Thunder held agency for a gritty 112-105 win, pushing the defending champs to the brink. The Nuggets now head house down 3-2 within the Western Conference semifinals, staring down elimination in Game 6.
Jokic mentioned Oklahoma City nonetheless performed the identical sort of protection that bothered him in Games 2 by way of 4, when he shot simply 33% from the sphere and 18.2% from 3-point vary.
He once more largely handled 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren, 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein and the rugged, energetic Jaylin Williams.
To Jokic, the distinction was easy.
“The ball is going in,” he mentioned. “They were still doing what they’re doing.”
Jokic made 8 of 13 photographs and scored 19 factors within the first half.
“He made the touch shots around the rim that seemed like hadn’t been going his way lately, which is surprising because he’s been so good at it for so long,” Denver interim coach David Adelman mentioned. “Once he saw those go in, it just kind of unleashed everything else.”
But Jokic’s teammates struggled. Jamal Murray scored 28 factors however made simply 10 of 27 photographs. Aaron Gordon scored 13. No different Nuggets participant scored greater than eight.
Jokic’s teammates made 23 of 72 photographs and mixed for simply 61 factors.
“We had a great performance from Nikola, just have to have a few other guys have a game, which we can do in Game 6,” Adelman mentioned. “I have full confidence in our guys.”
Denver took an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter, however Oklahoma City outscored the Nuggets 34-19 within the remaining interval.
Jokic mentioned falling brief was disappointing, however he believes the Nuggets nonetheless can win the collection.
“I mean, of course, it happens,” he mentioned of the tough end. “And some people will say that we were not supposed to win Game 1, but we won it. And then Game 3, we didn’t play very well, but we won. … It’s a playoff. It’s a series. Every game is different.”
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