Netease Sports reported on May 15:
The NBA playoffs continue, Denver Nuggets Win at home to achieve anti super. Jokic With 40 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists, he led the team to gradually establish a big score advantage, and the Nuggets defeated 112-97 in Game 5 of the Western Semifinals Minnesota Timberwolves 。 The Nuggets took the lead 3-2 in total, and the sixth game of the series between the two teams will be back in Minnesota.
The Nuggets' Jokic got 40 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists, Gordon got 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, Pop got 16 points and 5 rebounds, Murray got 16 points and 4 assists, and Braun got 10 points and 5 rebounds. Downes of the Timberwolves got 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Edwards got 18 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists, and Gobel got 18 points and 11 rebounds, Walker 14 points and 5 assists.
The Timberwolves' Conley was absent due to an Achilles tendon injury, and Walker entered the starting line-up instead. After the opening game, the two teams drew several times. After 8 draws, Walker and McDaniels scored three points respectively. The Timberwolves led 15-11. Porter and Jokic teamed up with 7 points to help the Nuggets counter surpass. Edwards's three points made the two teams draw 18 points. Jackson won two singles after 21 and 24 draws, and the Nuggets ended the first quarter with a 28-26 lead of 2 points.
Gobel dunked twice. The Timberwolves scored 5 points in a row to start the second quarter. They regained the lead. Jokic and Gordon took turns to score to help the Nuggets regain their lead. After each team scored a few points, Braun hit two goals, and the Nuggets took a 43-39 lead at 3:10 before halftime. After the Timberwolves paused, Walker scored 5 points to stop bleeding, Jokic responded with 5 points, Murray hit a jumper, and Nuggets entered the half court with a 50-44 lead of 6 points.
The Nuggets' Jokic scored 19 points and eight assists in the first half; Downes of the Timberwolves had 11 points and 5 rebounds, and Walker had 11 points.
Downes scored 5 points alone and led the team to start the third quarter with a 7-0 attack wave. The Timberwolves overtook with a 51-50. Porter hit back with three points, and the Timberwolves scored another four points. After the Denver Nuggets paused, they started to attack. Murray and Gordon each scored 4 points. Popp's three points made the Denver Nuggets lead by 64-57 in an 11-2 climax. The Timberwolves scored two goals in a row after the break, but they couldn't stop Jokic, who returned four points to help the team stay ahead. Edwards hit two free throws, and Gordon hit four free throws to lead the team to another 8 points. The Nuggets led by 13 points with a 76-63 lead. Edwards recovered 5 points. Jokic refused to be outdone. He played 3 points twice successfully, and one person scored 8 points in a row to help the team consolidate its leading position. Gobel scored under the basket, Jackson made a breakthrough jump shot, and the Nuggets led 88-74 at the end of the third quarter. Jokic scored 16 points in a single quarter.
Shortly after the beginning of the last quarter, the Timberwolves chased 4 points, and the Nuggets immediately stopped. After Popp paused, he hit two three-point shots, and Jokic dunked successfully. They had eight consecutive points and opened again. The Timberwolves were very tenacious. Downes and Walker each scored 3 points. They led the team to fight back 10-3, and the Timberwolves reached 90-101. Gordon turned to make a jumper and hit. Edwards made a mid shot and Jokic Hu made a three point shot. The Nuggets led 106-92. Walker missed three points after the Timberwolves paused. Murray played a role at this time, scoring two goals in a row, and the Nuggets firmly maintained a double-digit advantage. Gobel made two free throws and one hit. Murray made a breakthrough and the Nuggets took a 112-95 lead. At the last moment, the Timberwolves were unable to recover, and they lost 97-112.
Timberwolves starting lineup: Edwards, Walker, McDaniels, Downes, Goebbels
Nuggets starting lineup: Murray, Popp, Potter, Gordon, Jokic
