The Denver Nuggets also took their second visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves to restore parity in the Western Conference semifinal series. The champions had lost both of their home games in Colorado, but regained home advantage with a 115-107 victory.
Above all for Mike Malone's team was the recently chosen Most Valuable Player for the third time in his career, Nikola Jokic. The Serbian center finished with 35 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Aaron Gordon had a strong game as well, scoring 27 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and making 6 assists while missing just one shot from the field – 11/12. Jamal Murray added 19 points, and Justin Holiday and Christian Brown scored 10 and 11 from the bench, respectively.
Nuggets held on for the valuable win despite 44 points from Anthony Edwards, who added 5 rebounds and 5 assists to his tally. Mike Conley added 15, and Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert had double-doubles - Towns finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and the Best Defensive Player of the Season Gobert with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reed scored 11 points each, but their efforts were not enough.
Game 5 is in Denver on Tuesday night.
In the East, the Indiana Pacers also drew against the New York Knicks after winning their home game 121:89. Six Pacers basketball players scored 10 or more points, led by Tyrese Haliburton with 20. For the New Yorkers, Alec Burks had 20 points off the bench and leading scorer Jalen Brunson had 18. The fifth meeting between the two teams is on Tuesday. /BGNES
