While evening their playoff series with Denver at 2-2, the Thunder have accomplished something that seemed impossible — they’ve found a way to keep Nikola Jokic under control. The Nuggets center finished with 27 points in Sunday’s Game 4 loss, but he remained uncharacteristically inefficient, shooting 7-of-22 from the field and being limited to three assists. It continued a … [Read more...] about Nikola Jokic Comments On Shooting Woes In OKC Series
Northwest Notes: Edwards, Westbrook, Jazz, Blazers
With the Timberwolves trailing Golden State at halftime in Game 4 on Monday, a locker-room speech from Anthony Edwards helped spark a huge third-quarter turnaround, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I told them, ‘We only got two wins,'” Edwards told reporters after Minnesota’s Game 4 win. “I’ve never seen a series end 2-1. I told them we have to get two more wins and right now … [Read more...] about Northwest Notes: Edwards, Westbrook, Jazz, Blazers
Thunder Notes: Bench, Dort, Murray, Closing Out, Lottery
The Thunder’s deep bench shined through in Game 4 on Sunday as they tied the series with the Nuggets with a 92-87 victory. Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins had 11 points apiece and Alex Caruso supplied 10. The five reserves that coach Mark Daigneault utilized also combined for 16 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Denver used three subs and only one — Russell Westbrook — … [Read more...] about Thunder Notes: Bench, Dort, Murray, Closing Out, Lottery
Injury Notes: Towns, Hauser, Garland, Dillingham, Tyson
Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns appeared to suffer a hand or finger injury in Saturday’s Game 3 loss to Boston, but he was a full participant in practice on Sunday and isn’t listed on the injury report for Monday’s Game 4, per Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News and Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter links). It’s positive news for the Knicks after both Towns … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Towns, Hauser, Garland, Dillingham, Tyson
Nuggets Notes: Gordon, Jokic, Porter, Defense
Playoff heroics are becoming routine for Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, writes Sean Keeler of The Denver Post. After hitting a three-pointer in the final seconds to beat Oklahoma City in Game 1 of their playoff series, Gordon delivered another late three Friday night that sent Game 3 into overtime. Denver eventually pulled away to claim a 113-104 win and a 2-1 series lead over … [Read more...] about Nuggets Notes: Gordon, Jokic, Porter, Defense