By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the Western Conference Semifinals moving to Ball Arena, the Denver Nuggets outlasted the Oklahoma City Thunder, 113-104, in overtime to take a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven series on Friday.
Game 3 was complicated for Nikola Jokic. The 30-year-old Serbian superstar was limited to 8/25 from the field, including 0/10 three-pointers, and also missed a long jumper at the buzzer of the fourth quarter, besides committing eight turnovers.
Reacting with four out of his 20 points over the five extra minutes helped the team, coached by David Adelman, get into a safe distance.
After 15 lead changes, the Nuggets dominated overtime and went up by nine points. Jokic chipped in a double-double, consisting of 16 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and two steals. European teammates Slovenian Vlatko Cancar and Croatian Dario Saric did not play.
On the losing end, German Isaiah Hartenstein tallied a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double alongside four assists, one block, and one steal. French Ousmane Dieng and Belgian Ajay Mitchell stayed on the bench, and Serbian Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) was on the injury list.
After two home losses to start the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs presented by Google, the Cleveland Cavaliers reacted with a 126-104 victory versus the Indiana Pacers in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points.
2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google
Conference Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Miami Heat 4-0 (121-100, 121-112, 124-87, 138-83)
Boston Celtics – Orlando Magic 4-1 (103-86, 109-100, 93-95, 107-98, 120-89)
New York Knicks – Detroit Pistons 4-2 (123-112, 94-100, 118-116, 94-93, 103-106, 116-113)
Indiana Pacers – Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 (117-98, 123-115, 101-117, 129-103, 119-118)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 (131-80, 118-99, 114-108, 117-115)
Houston Rockets – Golden State Warriors 3-4 (85-95, 109-94, 93-104, 106-109, 131-116, 115-107, 89-103)
Los Angeles Lakers – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-4 (95-117, 94-85, 104-116, 113-116, 96-103)
Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 (112-110, 102-105, 83-117, 101-99, 131-115, 105-111, 120-101)
Conference Semifinals (best-of-seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Indiana Pacers 1-2 (112-121, 119-120, 126-104)
Boston Celtics – New York Knicks 0-2 (105-108, 90-91)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Denver Nuggets 1-1 (119-121, 149-106, 104-113)
Minnesota Timberwolves – Golden State Warriors 1-1 (88-99, 117-93)