The Oklahoma City Thunder have taken a 3-2 lead in the Round 2 NBA playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, with Game 6 set to take place in Denver. The series has been marked by intense competition and impressive performances from both teams.
Game 5 Highlights
In Game 5, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with an outstanding display of skill and athleticism:
- Points: 44
- Rebounds: 15
- Assists: 5
Jokic’s performance was a testament to his incredible ability to dominate games on both ends of the court.
Jamal Murray also made significant contributions for the Nuggets:
- Three-pointers: 8
- Assists: 9
However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander kept pace with Jokic throughout the game, leading all scorers with 31 points. His shooting was crucial in maintaining competitiveness against Jokic’s scoring total.
Despite falling short of matching Jokic’s number of field goals made (14), Gilgeous-Alexander remained confident in his abilities and praised his teammates for their support:
"I’m proud of my teammates. We’ve been through so much this season and we’re still standing."
Looking Ahead to Game 6
The Thunder will look to build on their momentum when they face off against Murray again in Game 6. The Nuggets will need to find ways to slow down Gilgeous-Alexander if they hope to even up the series.
Defensive Challenges for the Nuggets
Denver has struggled defensively this season when facing high-scoring teams without their starting center on defense. Key points include:
- They allowed nearly four more points per possession compared to their overall defensive rating when Nikola Jokic is off the court.
- This trend is particularly problematic against opponents who score above league-average from beyond the three-point range while Jokic is not playing.
This situation could be critical for Denver if they are forced to play without Jokic or another key player due to injury or foul trouble during Game 6 at home against Oklahoma City’s high-powered offense, which ranks second-best among playoff teams in three-point shooting since March 1, according to data provided by ESPN Stats & Information Group.
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