NBA, Oklahoma City-Denver 125-93: Thunder in the Conference final

Oklahoma City conquers the conference final to the west. He dominates the second round of the playoff against Denver in the home of the race 7, mutilated by injuries, and thus earn the crossing with the minnesota Timberwolves. At the Paycom Center ends 125-93, the Thunders go under 11 points in the 1st quarter, then they overflow thanks to the aggressive defense, marking a lot of points in transition from recovered balls and exploiting the too short blanket of the Nuggets who already have a racing rotation and this time they were with Aaron Gordon, as well as Michael Porter, in half service. Nikola Jokic does everything possible, but runs out miracles to try the impossible. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, among the primators on the parquet, goes on. The Thunders win the 4-3 series and earn the first Conference final since 2016.

Morti Thunder

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They assert athleticism, athletic freshness, youth and the field factor. Applause for Alex Caruso, the best of his: he defends on anyone, even on Jokic, even better than Isaiah Hartentein and Chet Holmgren, the long role. Jalen Williams after the fiasco di Race 6 shows character, goes crazy in the second period, that of the Along. Gilgeous-Alexander salt of shots at the distance inflating the figures per game already closed in the challenge between MVP candidates with Jokic, but wins the game and series. What matters most. Race 1 of the final of the Western Conference is scheduled at the Paycom Center on Tuesday 20 May, from 2.30 Italians on Wednesday.

Nuggets demerits

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They are structural, the contingency does not highlight them in evidence. The tongue beats where the tooth duoes. Aaron Gordon sides in the quintet even with a stretching to the left flexor suffered on the race ending 6 two days ago, self -propelled, and Michael Porter, who plays with one arm, the accident is unusable. And it does not help Nikola Jokic, however, can be immborn in just as a hermit once more in the season, that Jamal Murray is unjustified absent – by the salary he earns -. By now it will have made us habit. After all, the bench is level from G-League, coach Adelman tries a game strength to squeeze veterans as far as possible.

The game

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7 points in the first 3 ‘for Christian Braun and 21-10 Denver on Gordon’s first basket. The defensive area helps it a lot. Then Caruso goes to defend on Jokic putting his hands on him: it works because the referees never whistle. 26-21 guests after 12 ‘. Thunder pull with 38%. As soon as the reserves of the Nuggets, the impossible Payton Watson and Julian Strawther enter, Okc puts the arrow. Williams marks the basket of overtaking, of 27-26. Then 60-46 Thunder at the interval: Williams 17 points, Denver 12 lost balls. Jokic’s 17 points are not enough to stay in contact. Caruso starts in the quintet in the second half instead of Hartentein. The Thunders rise +23 on 69-46 and the crushing of Cason Wallace from left hand into the head of Jokic turns into the game of the game over. Nuggets at home after a disappointing season sabotaged by the market of the former General Manager Calvin Booth, Thunder now against Minny. They will have to play much better than the series with Denver to conquer the Finals, the Wolves are not physically in pieces like the Nuggets.

Oklahoma City: Gilgeous-Alexander 35 (9/15, 3/4, 8/9 tl), Jal. Williams 24, Holmgren 13. Hinders: Holmgren 11. Assist: Jal. Williams 7.

Denver: Jokic 20 (4/7, 1/2, 9/11 TL), Braun 19, Murray 13. Hinders: Gordon 11. Assist: Jokic 7.