Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets, the defending NBA champions, to a 117-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, narrowing the series deficit to 2-1 in the Western Conference semi-finals of the play-offs.
Jokic, who recently won the league’s Most Valuable Player award for the third time, scored 24 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out nine assists. Jamal Murray added 24 points to the Nuggets‘ tally.
The Nuggets dominated the Timberwolves throughout the game, with all five starters scoring in double figures. They led by as many as 34 points at one stage.
Game four of the best-of-seven series will be held on Monday, once again in Minneapolis.
In another game on Friday, Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a 111-106 victory over the New York Knicks in their Eastern Conference semi-final. Haliburton scored 35 points, while Andrew Nembhard of Canada hit a crucial three-pointer with 17 seconds left to secure the win for the Pacers.
Donte DiVincenzo was the top scorer for the Knicks with 35 points. The Pacers will aim to tie the series in game four, scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis.