DENVER – Nikola Jokic has reiterated what Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (NBA) followers would have realised by now, that the Western Convention is “actually, actually powerful”.
On April 10, the Serb scored 41 factors because the Denver Nuggets reclaimed pole place within the Western play-off race with a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves of their top-of-the-table conflict.
In a hard-fought showdown in Denver that noticed the lead change fingers 15 occasions, the Nuggets lastly pulled clear within the fourth quarter to seal victory.
The outcome means the reigning NBA champions lead the West by one recreation with two regular-season fixtures remaining.
With their ultimate opponents lowly ranked Memphis and San Antonio, Denver (56-24) are actually heavy favourites to complete prime of the convention and seal the No.1 seeding and residential benefit via the play-offs.
“We discovered a solution to win, our defence within the fourth quarter was superb,” Jokic advised ESPN, earlier than downplaying the importance of Denver’s return to the highest.
“It’s vital to be trustworthy, however the West is de facto, actually, actually powerful. We may play the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State within the first spherical – they’re all good groups.”
Jokic, who additionally had 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, was backed by 20 factors from Jamal Murray whereas Michael Porter Jr. added 18.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves’ scoring with 25 factors whereas Mike Conley added 19. Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid completed with 13 factors apiece.
Minnesota’s defeat dropped them right into a tie for second place within the West with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on 55-25.
The Thunder swatted apart San Antonio 127-89, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 26 factors in a 38-point beatdown of the bottom-ranked Spurs (20-60).
The Phoenix Suns bounced again from their 105-92 dwelling loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9 with a complete 124-108 win on the highway within the return fixture.
Devin Booker’s 37-point effort drove Phoenix to victory with Kevin Durant including 24 and Bradley Beal 26.
The win leaves Phoenix with a preventing probability of reaching the automated play-off locations with two video games remaining.
The seventh-placed Suns are on 47-33, simply behind New Orleans, who occupy the final automated post-season spot within the West in sixth with a 47-32 document.
Regardless of the win, Booker believes Phoenix nonetheless have loads of room for enchancment with the post-season looming.
