40 points, 13 assists, and 0 losses! | satisfaction

The Denver Nuggets are already in control of the matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves In the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference in the NBA. A series that began with a 0-2 draw for the Wolves with two games played in Denver left a home court factor for Anthony Edwards’ team and a response worthy of champion and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Because even though the Nuggets franchise has received a lot of criticism for their performance over the first two games, how the Timberwolves’ defense has outmatched them, and how they don’t seem to have that gear any more than they showed the previous season… Much of that criticism focused on Jokic.

What if the Serbian star wasn’t a player to look to in moments of dire need, what if he performed extremely well in the regular league but when pressure came they could only win when they were clearly superior and what if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the true MVP of 23/24. The MVP award was given to Nikola Jokic before the game and seemed to leave him ecstatic for what was to come after the ceremony.

40 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds, 15 of 22 field goals, 0 loss. And the feeling of control over everything that happens on the field. Jokic pulled off one of the most dominant games of his playoff career because even though he’s had bigger scoring performances — like 53 points last year against the Suns or 43 against the Timberwolves — he’s gone a surprising 0-4 in games over 40 points. In the qualifiers.

The Nuggets defense had one of its best performances so far in the playoffs and was able to shut down Anthony Edwards, who even in the wins was a leader for the Timberwolves. He did not succeed in exceeding 18 points, despite the poor percentage – 5 out of 15 on field goals – and the rest of the outside line did not accompany him either. Only Karl-Anthony Towns with 23 points and Rudy Gobert with 7-of-7 field goals and 11 rebounds were up to expectations. In the Wolves who will return to their stadium for the sixth match and who are beginning to see how the successful plan at the beginning of the series needs urgent changes. They’ll either come up with a contingency plan out of a hat or they’ll have to try better luck next season.

The Knicks returned to New York with some doubts after the wear and tear that began to pile up in the playoffs, however Jalen Brunson He squandered them all. A landslide win over the Pacers in Madison 44 points and a streak of 18 of 35 on field goals Which allowed them to take control of the game and get a little more rest than usual from Thibodeau, who was already starting to receive some criticism for his way of conducting the deliberations. Stellar and take the lead in the series with two more games to come.

Because Brunson was decisive, and once again proved that he is the best player so far in the playoffs, but the Knicks defense stifled the Pacers again and controlled the game with the contributions of the secondary teams. 18 points and 11 rebounds from Josh Hart, 17 rebounds from Isaiah Hartenstein for the Empire, 18 points from Alec Burks off the bench with 5 of 8 on threes.…Very important performances for players who don’t get as much attention as Brunson, but without them it will be difficult to understand these new and revitalized Knicks who are one step away from the NBA East Finals.