The thunder survives the assault from Murray and Jokic, take 3-2 forward of Nuggets

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 factors and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 112-105 on Tuesday night to go up 3-2 of their collection of semifinals of the western convention.

Oklahoma City exceeded an evening of 44 factors and 15 rebounds from Nikola Jokic by Denver. The Thunder can conquer the Thursday collection in Denver.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 12 of 23 targets on the sphere and had seven assists. He guided six gamers of twin -digit thunder.

Jokic did 17 of 25 photographs. Jamal Murray of Denver scored 28 factors, however solely made 10 of 27 photographs. No different Denver participant has scored greater than 13 factors.

Oklahoma City took the lead for 12-2, and it appeared that he might show to be the victory of Thunder within the recreation 2. Denver made one in all his first 9 photographs, and this was a bounce of Jokic.

Denver gathered and led by 11 within the second quarter, however Oklahoma City closed sturdy and adopted 56-54 in half time. Jokic had 19 factors and 9 rebounds earlier than the break.

Denver took management in the beginning of the third quarter. Murray scored 13 factors within the interval and Jokic added 12 to assist the Nugget to take a bonus of 86-78 within the fourth.

Lu Dort by Oklahoma City, who scored three factors within the first three quarters, scored three 3 episodes in a two-minute span to chop Denver’s benefit at 92-90 in the course of the fourth.

Jokic hit a deep 3-pointer Fadeaway loopy to tie the sport at 103 earlier than Oklahoma City closed it. The 3-pointer of Jalen Williams with 1:18 remaining gave the Thunder a bonus of 106-103, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s three with 48 seconds to push the benefit of Oklahoma City to 6.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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