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00:10This is the NBA on NBC.
00:14These are the 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google.
00:20Tonight, it's Game 5 as the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Denver Nuggets.
00:25Brought to you by Kia.
00:28It is win or stay home for the Denver Nuggets.
00:32Game 5 of the 3-6 matchup in the Western Conference.
00:36Minnesota leads three games to one, and the Nuggets win to keep their season alive here tonight.
00:41Welcome, courtside at Ball Arena, No Eagle, the Hall of Famer.
00:43Grant Hill and Ashley Shomity, so glad you could join us for a pivotal game.
00:47Game 5, Denver has been here before, not that long ago in 2020, came back from 2-3-1 deficits.
00:52Feels like this one's a deeper uphill climb.
00:55However, they get some luck.
00:57The starting backcourt on the other side, Dante DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, out for the foreseeable future.
01:01And it may help Denver out big time here at home in a desperation win.
01:05But this series, it's been a lot of physicality and some fireworks.
01:09I like fireworks, and certainly they feel like they like that here in Denver as well.
01:13They're hoping that fireworks can be provided by this starting lineup, brought to you by DoorDash.
01:19For Denver, Murray, Brown, Johnson, Spencer Jones, and Nikola Jokic.
01:23Still no Peyton Watson and no Aaron Gordon after he played in the game for a loss.
01:29Murray will go up against Mike Conley.
01:32Ayo DeSumo, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert as mentioned.
01:36No DiVincenzo and no Anthony Edwards.
01:38It's time now for the DraftKings player tracker.
01:40We're looking at Ayo DeSumo coming off his massive 43-point game in Game 4.
01:46Nikola Jokic, who's going to score more between the two of them?
01:48We'll keep an eye.
01:49DraftKings is the number one sportsbook for live betting.
01:51To get in on the action, download the app, and use promo code DUNK when you sign up.
01:55Our officials tonight, James Capers, Tyler Ford, and Brett Barneke.
02:00They are ready to go at ball arena.
02:02Towels in the air.
02:04Denver needs to win to keep the season in this series alive.
02:08Minnesota looking to close it out on the road and move on to round two in the Western Conference.
02:16Game 5 underway, and Minnesota will have the ball first.
02:21The Sumo coming off his 43-point explosion.
02:24He's got a career-high on 13-of-17 shooting.
02:28Conley finds Randall.
02:29They're going to feature him offensively without Edwards and DiVincenzo.
02:33Double on Randall.
02:34Force him to give it up.
02:35Seven to shoot now for McDaniels, who has really shown some offensive skill set.
02:39He's going to hear it, though, from the fans after the way Game 4 ended.
02:43And Julius Randall gets things started with a three.
02:46And not a great offensive set to start the game, but Randall bails them out there.
02:51And Randall and McDaniels are going to have to get it done on the offensive end here tonight.
02:56Have a tell me why.
02:58Nikola Jokic, who has put up good numbers, and he just looked at points, rebounds, and assists.
03:02But his field goal percentage is way down as Cam Johnson gets his first shot to go down.
03:07And a good sign for Denver.
03:09Get Cam Johnson a shot.
03:10Get him going early.
03:11Get that confidence up for the Nuggets.
03:13David Adelman, head coach for Denver, was very clear with Cam Johnson.
03:16If you're open, shoot it.
03:18Felt like they had a number of actions that he was hesitant with in the last couple of games.
03:23Good sign there to get them on the board.
03:25McDaniels too strong.
03:26Brown clears the board.
03:30Nikola Jokic averaging 25 points, nearly 15 rebounds, and 8 assists in this series.
03:35And his first one goes.
03:39So Jokic gets an easy one in the mid-range off the nice feed.
03:43And he's going to continue to go up against the stifling defense of the stifled tower.
03:47Rudy Gobert, who has been outstanding in this series.
03:50Another long ball from Randall.
03:52Good sign right there.
03:54Randall knocking down two three-pointers.
03:56You know he's good off the bounce.
04:00Jokic and Murray, that lethal two-man game.
04:02That's a long two, and it goes.
04:04Plus the foul.
04:05Jamal Murray finding his face.
04:10You see right away the sense of purpose on the offensive end.
04:15Denver quick hitters there.
04:17Little dribble handoff two-man game right here.
04:20You've seen this for many, many years.
04:22That nice pocket pass, and right away Jokic in movement.
04:26A little teardrop.
04:29Confidence and the efficiency on the offensive end to start the game with Denver needed.
04:33Again, Jokic and Murray, they're averaging a combined 51.5 points per game in this series, which is tied for
04:39the most of any duel in the playoffs.
04:41However, the Denver Nuggets are now 6-8 all-time when those two account for 55% or more of
04:47the team's points in a playoff game.
04:50And that was one of the messages from David Allen and the others around them have to be assertive and
04:55stop watching.
04:56That's going to help with a strip from Brown.
04:58Murray running with him.
04:59Brown's going to attack, and he couldn't spin it in.
05:01Then a strip there from Johnson, but Randall gets it back.
05:06McDaniels on the fend-off offensive foul.
05:10That's number two on J. McDaniels.
05:13Good job there by Cam Johnson.
05:16Getting back in transition, and McDaniels extending that left arm.
05:21That's a pretty obvious call right there.
05:25And that's so important, McDaniels now having to sit with those teams.
05:28It looks like Chris Finch took the quick timeout, and he's going to want them to look at this.
05:33So a review asked for a challenge by Minnesota on the second foul for McDaniels early.
05:39Well, it's an unsuccessful challenge.
05:42Chris Finch now 1-4 on his challenges in this series.
05:46You see the extension for McDaniels.
05:47His second foul will stand, and maybe more importantly, Finch now will not have a challenge the rest of the
05:53way here tonight.
05:53And you question the strategy there, but being under man, no Anthony Edwards, no Dante DiVincenzo.
05:59You know, offense, where are you going to get it from?
06:02Jada McDaniels has been so good, 15 points per game in this series.
06:06So you lose that challenge, and you lose McDaniels probably for a while here in this first half.
06:11Terrence Shannon Jr. will come in for him as Johnson 3 over the top, and then scooped up by Gobert.
06:18Chris Finch had a lot to say about Shannon.
06:20Felt like his season was largely hijacked by injury.
06:23But played his best ball down the stretch in the regular season, and loved what he did last year against
06:27OKC in the playoffs.
06:29They know that he's ready for these big moments.
06:31And right on cue, he gets to the rim, but he can't finish on that awkward delivery.
06:36Johnson looking to push.
06:38Murray attacking on Conlon.
06:39They're going to go right at that 38-year-old as much as they possibly can if Johnson gets all
06:43the way to the rim.
06:47Nice little hesitation there by Johnson in the pick-and-roll action.
06:52I like how he didn't settle.
06:53Get to the rim.
06:54This ball scooped up.
06:56Spencer Jones with a runaway.
07:017-0 sprint from Denver.
07:08David Alleman took offense when he was asked about his team's effort in the Game 4 loss at Minnesota.
07:14Felt like their effort was excellent, but their offense just couldn't follow suit.
07:18Better start here tonight, but Reynolds doing it all himself.
07:21He's got all eight for Minnesota.
07:23And he's being hyper-aggressive here, but he's going to need some help on the offensive end.
07:28Right now, if you're Minnesota, you've got to weather the storm.
07:30You know that Denver's going to come out.
07:33Murray.
07:35Murray's a deep ball.
07:37Come out with a sense of urgency, and it's on display.
07:42Randall back to work.
07:44Can't respond.
07:47Murray was open momentarily.
07:49Now it's Jokic.
07:50Get it ahead for him.
07:51Murray is bumped.
07:53Now they're going to call it on the floor.
07:57And what's impressive right now, Noah, everybody's getting involved in the offensive end.
08:03Cameron Johnson, known as a shooter, getting to the rim there, attacking Gobert,
08:08and then just a little miscommunication.
08:10A little too pretty on that pass attempt.
08:13There's a passing lane.
08:14Easy finish for Spencer Jones.
08:17Murray more space, but he can't hit that time.
08:23And Mike Connelly, who really didn't play for about a month towards the end of the season,
08:28he finally got a little bit more burn.
08:30As Chris Finch said, yes, the Mike Connelly month preservation
08:34as Io DeSumo has his first bucket following his 43-point game.
08:38The month preservation of Mike Connelly has come to fruition,
08:41and he's ready to go, feeling as fresh as he has in years now in a postseason action.
08:47Open look.
08:48Christian Brown can't hit.
08:53Christian Brown can't hit.
08:53Randall, inside, off the hands of Gobert, out of bounds.
08:56You've got to know your KYP right there.
08:59Know your personnel.
09:09Welcome those of you joining us on NBC.
09:11No Dante DiVincenzo or Anthony Edwards tonight.
09:14And for the foreseeable future for Minnesota, Denver with their backs against the wall down 3-1.
09:19Looking to extend their season up 3 early on.
09:21And Jokic has a second bucket of the night.
09:25And both buckets, knowing he has been decisive, gone quickly, not waiting at all.
09:31Establishing himself early in the paint.
09:34Denver 7-for-11 to start this game.
09:36It's much more efficient from what we've seen.
09:39And another steal.
09:40Murray off to the races against Connelly.
09:42Had it knocked away out of bounds.
09:43And it's going the other way.
09:47Right now, to start this game, Minnesota have been very, very sloppy on the offensive end.
09:52And possessions have not been cleaned.
09:54Give Tim for credit.
09:55Playing the passing lanes, getting deflections, and getting steals out of transition.
10:00Minnesota with four made field goals.
10:02They already have five turnovers in this opening quarter.
10:05So far in the series, they're only averaging 12 turnovers for games.
10:09Shannon all the way to the rim as he lays it in.
10:11He's in there because of the two fouls on Jayden McDaniels in the early going here.
10:15And Shannon has his first bucket for Minnesota.
10:22Two-man game as is customary here at Mile High.
10:26Murray right at Connelly.
10:27Over the top for two.
10:29And now this good defense, better offense.
10:31But I like the aggressiveness from the start from Jamal Murray.
10:37He and Jokic have put up big numbers, but the field goal percentage efficiency has been weighed down
10:42from what we are accustomed to seeing from arguably the best two-man game in the NBA.
10:46Randall got out of it.
10:48And Shannon way off on the three.
10:50Jokic comes away with it.
10:51Up ahead for Murray.
10:53Johnson trailing the play.
10:54He'll attack on Connelly.
10:55And he finds the trailing Jones.
10:57What a deny, but he's fouled.
11:03We talked earlier, finding best buckets if you're Minnesota.
11:07And Shannon right down the lane, a straight line drive.
11:11And Denver doesn't really have shot blockers.
11:15So attacking the rim is a great strategy.
11:17And giving the ball to Jamal Murray as well, letting him go to work.
11:21Sort of picking on Mike Connelly right there.
11:23You're going to respect your health.
11:24Right.
11:24I was always told that you're supposed to showcase that.
11:28It's kind of like you and Ashley picking on me.
11:30We never do that.
11:31At least not publicly.
11:33At least not in front of your face, I should say.
11:355.37 to play in this opening quarter.
11:37More changes here for Minnesota.
11:39Bones Highland, who has been, as Chris Finch described him, a shot in the arm for this team.
11:44Staying the course after dropping out of the rotation when he first got to Minnesota last year.
11:49Early this season as well.
11:50They were very transparent about his role.
11:52He came in and he worked his tail off every day.
11:55Has earned his spot in the rotation of the postseason.
11:58Started his career in Denver.
12:00Naj Reed, former Sixth Man of the Year, on the floor as well for the Wolves.
12:05Seven-point Denver lead.
12:07Their largest of this opening quarter just past the midway point.
12:10Around for Reed.
12:12Dynamic with a ball in his hands.
12:13Nearly had it stripped and he did.
12:15Jones comes away with it.
12:16Saved it into the hands of Highland.
12:17Right down the middle.
12:18Outside for Shannon.
12:20Full reset on the shot clock.
12:22They're going to say it was a possession from Denver.
12:25Highland lost it.
12:26Reed will fire.
12:27Way off.
12:28Another rebound for Jokic, his second.
12:33He'll survey the floor.
12:35Now it's Murray off the screen.
12:37Working on Gobert.
12:38Bounce it for Jokic.
12:39Over Reed.
12:40And he gets it to go.
12:41Plus a foul.
12:46And Noah, just beautiful action between these two right here.
12:49You force the switch.
12:50Murray snakes the screen.
12:52Now Reed behind Jokic.
12:54Great position.
12:55And once again, not waiting at all.
12:58Very decisive.
12:59Jokic goes right up through the arms of Reed.
13:01Drawing the foul.
13:03And getting to the free throw line here.
13:05Jokic 3 of 3 from the field.
13:07Here in his first.
13:09He has really struggled shooting the basketball in the series.
13:1239% field goal percentage.
13:1518.5% three-point percentage.
13:17And for the second time tonight, a 7-0 run for Denver has now extended it to a 10-point
13:22cushion.
13:24Bruce Brown will check in next to that ball for the Nuggets.
13:26As Hyland draws the contact on the ground.
13:29Cam Johnson tried to beat him to the spot.
13:31You see the shiftiness and quickness of the guard.
13:36We talked about Hyland and Chris Finch.
13:39Character first to stay ready.
13:41Stay professional.
13:42Wait for your time.
13:43But his energy, he brings the athleticism.
13:47Got the matchup he wanted.
13:49But at Johnson.
13:51And Hyland, the Sohmu, and of course Shannon together are going to have to pick up the slack.
13:57Selectively as a group on the offensive end.
13:59Aaron Shannon attacking baseline.
14:01Out of bounds.
14:05And seven turnovers to start the game here for Minnesota, not the start of his fifth-point.
14:12And remember, just two and a half minutes into the game, Jayden McDaniels picked up his second foul.
14:18So he's been on the bench since.
14:19Denver has taken advantage.
14:21Jokic missed that one.
14:22The extra help from Gobert who wanted a foul after he's around the rebound.
14:26Now Hyland sets the offense in motion.
14:29The Sohmu, 43 points on 17 shots.
14:32The second most points in a playoff game off the bench in NBA history.
14:36Will snake through, push it up.
14:38And he doesn't get the roll.
14:40Slip pox out by Jokic.
14:45David Adelman stressed, screening can get you open if you're not Jamal Murray or Nikola Jokic.
14:51But those two guys do it as well as anybody.
14:53As Murray comes up short, follows his miss.
14:55A lot of contact, but it was taken away by DeSumo.
15:01Nadri, spin, can't score.
15:04Couldn't get his own.
15:06Gobert does to the outside.
15:08And a reset with 10 to shoot for Hyland.
15:10Spin on Hardaway and a foul on the outside.
15:13It'll be the second team foul on Denver.
15:16First on Tim Hardaway Jr.
15:17And right there, this tall lineup with Nadri and Rudy Gobert on the floor,
15:22getting on the offensive glass.
15:24Denver's susceptible there.
15:27Only Jokic on the interior.
15:28Four smalls around him.
15:31And they're sort of taking advantage of their size inside.
15:34David Adelman said he's going to have to try different combinations without Aaron Gordon
15:38and without Peyton Watson, once again, who hasn't played since April 1st.
15:41So Julian Strother with the first quarter minutes as Bones Highland, the former Nugget, gets one to go from the
15:47outside.
15:48Yeah, Bones Highland felt like there was some contact there on that shot, but...
15:53No lack of confidence from that young man.
15:56Jokic gets rid of it.
15:57Let's draw the right back to him.
15:59Now Jokic on Gobert, way outside.
16:02Hand it for Johnson.
16:03He'll fire.
16:05Pure!
16:07Right away, you see Cameron Johnson hunting his shot, being aggressive, catch and shoot, off the bounce.
16:14Exactly what Denver needs.
16:15He was the guy that David Adelman felt could be their third scorer as the silver responds with a triple.
16:20Oh, how about the confidence this young man is playing with?
16:24He just, man, continues with that hot streak.
16:28Chris Finch was pretty honest that they were curious if the shooting numbers were real as what find from Jokic
16:34inside for Holloway.
16:36What you're seeing is the guys playing off.
16:39Jokic are moving so well without the basketball and of coaches.
16:43Of course, Jokic so good at finding them.
16:45Reed outside for Highland.
16:47He'll tee it up.
16:48Off the heel.
16:49It's going the other way.
16:50A foul on Gobert.
16:52What a start for Denver.
16:54They need the win to keep themselves alive.
16:56Up nine in the first.
17:00The teams don't like each other.
17:02Pushing and shoving into the crowd.
17:04Yeah, they're all bad defenders.
17:05Brother, I don't care.
17:07Ayo to Sumo!
17:09It's his night!
17:10I don't care what you're writing.
17:12Jokic just clobbered McDaniels.
17:14Denver is going to lose game four.
17:16The narrative doesn't matter to me.
17:18I know the feeling of the group.
17:22Well, if you're looking for playoff basketball, you came to the right place.
17:25These two teams have played more than anybody else in the NBA over the last four seasons.
17:30Three times in the postseason.
17:31It's a real rivalry, and you feel it every time they take the court.
17:34But, no question, these two teams right here, they know each other well.
17:37They don't like each other a lot.
17:39Typical playoff basketball at its best.
17:42And right now, Denver really backs against the wall.
17:45They needed to come out with urgency.
17:46They struggled against this defense of Minnesota.
17:49But, it's a great start here early from Jokic and his team, sending a message in this first quarter.
17:56Well, there was a loose ball foul before the timeout on Gobert.
17:59So, that means Jokic with Denver and the bonus will get free throws.
18:03This looks a lot more like the Denver offense that we saw through the regular season.
18:07They were number one in offensive rating, number one in points per game at 122.1.
18:12They've scored less than 100 points in the last two games in Minnesota after two all-regular season under 100.
18:19And, David Adelman has said, look, everybody likes to talk about the defense and what we don't do there.
18:23But, realistically, we've held Minnesota to manageable numbers.
18:28And, if our offense was at our normal standard, we would be winning a lot of these games.
18:32100%.
18:32They've been stifling with their defense, Minnesota.
18:35But, Denver finding their way.
18:39And, kind of start day one.
18:41And, you see the graphic, the differential points in the regular season versus this series.
18:47And, 122, the efficiency, how they dominated on that end of the court this season.
18:53And, has struggled, particularly the last two, as you mentioned, in Minnesota.
18:58We're curious to see what the rotations would look like for Minnesota without Devin Chenzo and Edwards.
19:02And, Kyle Anderson is in the game.
19:04Play clock and a throwaway.
19:06Major numbers the other way for Brown.
19:08Outside, it's Johnson for three.
19:10No.
19:12And, Noah, what you're seeing with this small ball lineup, they're just scrapping.
19:16They're trapping.
19:17They're getting into space, making life uncomfortable offensively for Minnesota.
19:21And, the turnover showing.
19:22Already eight of them for the Wolves, as Conley finds his spot for two.
19:29So, Conley with his first bucket.
19:31He played 15 minutes in the second half.
19:33In the game four win.
19:35On Saturday.
19:38Johnson off the screen, bounce it inside.
19:40Jokic.
19:40Just don't see him miss that very often.
19:43His touch extra-worldly as Hyland gets fouled in transition.
19:48That was the final foul to give for Denver with a minute 20.
19:52Remaining in the first.
19:53I'm now for the DraftKings player tracker with Io DeSumo and Nikola Jokic.
19:57These two off to solid starts.
19:59Jokic with eight.
20:00DeSumo with six.
20:01DraftKings is the number one sportsbook for live betting.
20:03To get in on the action, download the app, and use promo code DUNK when you sign up.
20:09So, Jokic in the early going.
20:11Three for five.
20:12Eight points.
20:13Three rebounds.
20:14Four assists.
20:15Yeah, a good start.
20:16I mean, you mentioned that struggle with some of those close shots.
20:20Still effective early.
20:22Good ball movement, and Nasri makes the defense pay.
20:29Just like that, Denver had a ten-point cushion.
20:32Cut in half.
20:33Holdaway finds the bottom.
20:37Allaway streaky.
20:38They need his performance, his confidence.
20:41He's been in big games.
20:43He really struggled in game four as Connelly once again with the offhand.
20:47I'll tell you, the longevity plan seems to be working.
20:51Whatever they were doing.
20:53Cryotherapy, acupuncture, whatever month-long treatment.
20:57Connelly has found the fountain of youth in his minutes so far in the last two games.
21:01There's a two-point opportunity here for Denver.
21:04Hardaway sets the screen.
21:05Jokic tries a three.
21:07And the struggles continue from the outside.
21:12Anderson looking inside for Gobert.
21:15Knocked away by Johnson.
21:17Shot clock off.
21:18Up ahead for Brown.
21:19Challenges Reed at the rim, and he wins.
21:23How about Brown going at the big fella?
21:26Plays like a big guy.
21:28Once again, getting out in transition has worked here for Denver.
21:32He used every bit of that six-foot-nine wingspan for the nice finish.
21:35Ten seconds left in this first quarter.
21:39Highland tees it up and knocks it down.
21:44He is certainly no longer a fan favorite here in Denver with the way his tenure ended.
21:50With the Nuggets several seasons ago, was traded mid-year to the L.A. Clippers,
21:54then made his way here to Minnesota, where he has now found that role this year for Chris Finch.
22:00And he has come off the bench and provided a quick six.
22:064.3 seconds left first quarter.
22:08Plenty of time here for Nikola Jokic, who is the king of the heat.
22:12Bounce it.
22:13Hardaway got it off in time, but it's way off the mark on the contest by Rudy Gobert.
22:19Nuggets led by as many as ten.
22:21They're up by five after one.
22:23The NBA playoffs presented by Google.
22:24Coverage presented by Kia.
22:30No need to stop him.
22:32He's all the way up.
22:33And he's attempting his heart-stopping ladder shot.
22:39He's going up higher.
22:45And guess what?
22:46Tonight, he's doing it backwards.
22:53Make some noise for our fans.
22:55He's over 35 feet high.
22:57And remember, kids, don't try this at home.
23:07Oh, my goodness.
23:10Make some noise for our fans.
23:19Come on, Rock.
23:21You can do it.
23:30Oh, my goodness.
23:33You're so close, Rock.
23:35Now I'm running through these houses like Dragon Quest.
23:38Ooh!
23:38And devilish glow.
23:40Rock and roll.
23:41No halo.
23:41We party, Rock.
23:43Yeah, that's the clue that I'm weppin'.
23:45On the rise to the top.
23:47No head in our Zeppelin.
23:49Hey!
23:50Ooh!
23:51You're so close, Rock.
23:53Ooh!
23:54Everybody just have a cool time.
23:56Ooh!
23:57Make some noise for our fans!
24:01Everybody just have a cool time.
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46:04ДИНАМИЧНАЯ МУЗЫКА
46:20A little bit shooting better than we've seen in this entire series for Denver.
46:25The offense just looks like it's gelling a little bit more.
46:27Well, number one, the big fella's four rebounds away from a triple-double.
46:32Typically, when he's putting triple-double, he's affecting the game in all aspects.
46:38And I think he's doing that.
46:39He's active on the glass.
46:40He's getting guys involved.
46:41But he started off the game attack mode first, scoring.
46:44And when he does that, that kind of opens up everything else.
46:47Because now they were playing single coverage, like you said.
46:49Now you kind of got to start helping a little bit.
46:51He makes the right play, guys.
46:52Get going.
46:53Yeah, I like the way Jokic came out.
46:55I mean, he was very assertive in that first quarter.
46:58He made, you know, sure that that ball was going to him.
47:01And he was being extra aggressive getting shots up.
47:04So you see 10 shots in the first half.
47:07I look for him to be more assertive in the second half.
47:09Yeah, interesting.
47:09The Denver Nuggets shooting at 58% from the field.
47:12So they're feeling it right now.
47:14Happy to be home.
47:14And, again, we are watching the Minnesota Timberwolves battling without Anthony Edwards or Dante DiVincenzo.
47:20Still looking to find that rhythm here in this game five.
47:24Oh, whoo!
47:24Oh, yeah.
47:25Life is caught up.
47:26All I know is we got to talk about it.
47:28Magic one win away.
47:30Get up, Kane.
47:31Get up, Kane.
47:35Four.
47:35I want to say this out loud.
47:36Jamal Kane grew up in Pontiac, Michigan.
47:38Grew up rooting for the Pistons, and then he got next to Detroit.
47:42Take that, Pistons.
47:44That's what he said.
47:45That's what he said.
47:46That's what he said.
47:48The Magic go on to win this one.
47:50Another one.
47:50Another one.
47:5116 offensive rebounds, 16 second chance points.
47:53Kane had a big day.
47:55Desmond Bain had a big day.
47:56Hit five threes in game four.
47:59That was a heartbreaker right there, man.
48:02So now the Magic are the sixth number eight seed to take a 3-1 lead since the first round
48:08went to best of seven in 0-3.
48:10Four of the previous five went on to close it out.
48:12The only one seed to come back, it was Detroit, Orlando.
48:15It was 2003.
48:16And who was on the team?
48:17Dot Rivers.
48:18And T-Mac.
48:19The Magic are now one win away from us setting the top seed of Pistons.
48:23Let's hear what Jamal Mosley had to say to his squad in the locker room.
48:28So I was going to put this video up.
48:30Y'all remember the Kobe Bryant one?
48:33Yeah.
48:33Up 2-0.
48:34What was the statement?
48:36Job finished.
48:37Job not finished.
48:38I don't think so.
48:38Job's not done.
48:39Yeah.
48:40That's the reality.
48:41We put ourselves in position to go take care of another one.
48:44But that's all we've done.
48:46The job is not done.
48:47So we've got to go to Detroit, find a way to get it done there.
48:49All right?
48:50Next man up, next mentality.
48:52That's got to be our focus.
48:53Great job on the composer down the stretch.
48:56Next man stepping up, staying resilient.
48:58That's who we've got to continue to be.
49:00Shout out to Jamal Mosley.
49:02The Magic 8-1 in home postseason games under him.
49:05Okay?
49:05That's a big deal.
49:06Let's check out the DraftKings live player props for the second half.
49:09It's not too late to still get in on the action.
49:11The Joker already 13 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds.
49:14DraftKings thinks he can get you 31 points.
49:17I don't think he needs 31 to win this game.
49:19You think he'll be sitting out at the end of this game?
49:20Yeah.
49:20He's going to be chilling?
49:21I think he want to keep killing that man.
49:22No, I don't think he'll sit out.
49:24I just think he's got a lot of help tonight.
49:26Mmm, okay.
49:27Well, we will see.
49:28The second half is coming your way right now.
49:30The Nuggets up nine.
49:35It is win or stay home for the Denver Nuggets.
49:39They are ready to go at Ball Arena.
49:40Loose ball scooped up.
49:42Spencer Jones with a runway.
49:44What a start for Denver.
49:45The sumo responds with a triple.
49:47How about the confidence this young man is playing with?
49:50Brown all on.
49:52Balanchunas comes flying in.
49:57Game is a must-have for Denver.
49:59And they played like it through 24 minutes, 60 to 51.
50:03They led by as many as 10.
50:04And this has been a rivalry that has been brewing over the last several years.
50:08But the biggest rivalry tonight, Grant Hill versus Rocky, the mascot here in Denver.
50:13First, just no high five.
50:14You say, okay, no high five.
50:16And then during the break, you say, hey, oh, no!
50:19You got completely crushed.
50:22He said, yeah, that's how I do it around here.
50:25With his eight-pack, apparently.
50:27That was a lot.
50:30Yeah, and once again.
50:31You have zero high fives from Rocky tonight.
50:33You see that?
50:33I got you.
50:34I'm a good teammate.
50:35No, I got you.
50:37Who needs Rocky?
50:38I think you do a little bit.
50:40Either way, the Denver Nuggets haven't needed his energy.
50:43But they fed off of it.
50:45And Nikola Jokic has set the tone for usual.
50:47He has.
50:48And really eight players on Denver scoring in that first half.
50:53Eight on Minnesota as well.
50:56Expect to see a lot of Jokic and Murray for Denver in the second half.
51:01Step up and play big.
51:02Randall's been so good for Minnesota.
51:05Murray on the attack and he becks at home on the opening possession of this third quarter.
51:10That is the largest lead now of the night for Denver up to 11.
51:13And Murray has a dozen on five of eight shooting.
51:16In fact, Jokic and Murray are combined 10 of 18 from the floor with 25 points and 15 assists
51:23between the two of them.
51:24And Daniels has been showered by the crowd all night with those boos.
51:29Randall comes up short.
51:31Got his own.
51:32And he's fouled as we check in with Ashley.
51:34As I talked to Minnesota assistant coach Mike and Murray, he said Denver definitely more aggressive
51:38to start the game.
51:39We had nine turnovers in that first quarter alone, which tells the story right there.
51:42But he said the biggest thing for us besides your turnovers, when you're down two of your
51:46top scores in Anthony Edwards, Dante DiVincenzo, you need some, quote, easy shots, a.k.a.
51:50The cheap ones, the fast break points, they had zero of them in that first half.
51:54Denver had 10.
51:55Also, he noticed they are rolling Jokic so much more this game than the previous four.
51:59Said he would really need to do a good job tearing the pocket when that happens to take
52:02away his pass for that mid-range shot.
52:04And that is certainly where he thrives.
52:06You mentioned the fast break points, but the points off turnovers being a real issue
52:10in that first half.
52:1114 turnovers led to 14 Denver points compared to just now eight turnovers.
52:17But Minnesota has capitalized with 12.
52:20And Denver, you know, they could have had 20 points off those turnovers.
52:23So, you know, Minnesota was bailed out there.
52:27They weren't efficient.
52:28The Nuggets in transition off those turnovers.
52:31But kind of clean things up, particularly on the road.
52:34You're closing out a game in a playoff against your playoff rival.
52:37Not easy for the Timberwolves.
52:39Open lock.
52:40Murray, the flyby.
52:42But he missed it.
52:43A lot of contact with Gobert who went flailing out of that play.
52:47DeSumo looking to attack in the body of Johnson.
52:50High off the window for two.
52:52And that's where he is so dangerous.
52:54Downhill attack mode getting to the rim.
52:57So, eight points on the follow-up from his 43-point explosion in game four.
53:02Now, it's a back down for Jokic.
53:04Gobert stands his ground.
53:06Reset with 10 to shoot for Murray.
53:08Off the screen.
53:09Murray Peaks.
53:10Step away, too.
53:12And a long rebound.
53:13Knocked out of bounds.
53:14Staying here off of Connelly.
53:18Right on cue.
53:20Get out and transition.
53:21Attacking the closeout.
53:23Just using the physicality.
53:24Great touch.
53:25He saw Jones come over to contest.
53:29So, move there with this beautiful finish.
53:32That's a high degree of difficulty.
53:35Oh, man.
53:37Brown inside for Jokic.
53:39Six to shoot.
53:39And he goes right in the Gobert and draws the contact.
53:43That old Tim Duncan move right there.
53:47Gobert's hands there reaching in.
53:49Jokic goes right into his shot.
53:5613.6 assists.
53:58Make it six rebounds, 11 assists for Nikola Jokic so far in his first 20 minutes of action.
54:05The team is a plus 11 while he's been on the floor.
54:08It's the premier weekend in thoroughbred racing where high fashion meets high stakes.
54:12And it begins with the Kentucky Oaks.
54:14Friday at 8 Eastern time leading up to the Kentucky Derby starting Saturday at 2.30 Eastern on NBC and
54:21Peacock.
54:22Jokic splits a pair.
54:24Tied for actually one behind the game high.
54:2714 for Jokic.
54:2815 for Julius Randle.
54:30He's the only Minnesota player in double figures here tonight.
54:34Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
54:39Conley.
54:40Couldn't finish.
54:42Jokic clears his seventh rebound.
54:45Murray.
54:46Jones.
54:48Three ball.
54:50Denver in transition playing with pace before that Minnesota defense can get set.
54:58Randle lost it.
54:59Jones hits the deck.
55:00And it's staying here with Minnesota.
55:05And in this building with the altitude, Denver historically so good, the ball hopping down the court, unselfish play.
55:14And I can't speak high enough about Jones and his effort on both ends.
55:19He's showing the range.
55:22The second season, undrafted last year out of Stanford.
55:2624 years old.
55:28And has come in and spot duties this year.
55:30And provided just a major punch for this group on both ends.
55:35McDaniels got it back.
55:36Couldn't float it in.
55:37Jokic has another goal.
55:39Johnson looking a run.
55:41Puts the head down.
55:42Leaves it for Brown.
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