Watch: The Thunder's extrapolated Nuggets to Win Game 5 – Basketball Insider
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 112-105 in the Live Playoff Classic to win Game 5 and beat the 3-2 lead.
This game has it all. Two leading MVP candidates take toe toe to footsteps, incredible shots, incredible battles, a crowd of people losing their collective minds, and a huge time bet.
Whether the Thunder continues to win the championship from here or not, this is a victory for them to see as a significant moment of growth. Yes, it's a team that became the top seed a season ago and backed it up by getting the best record in the league this season. However, this is still a very young team and is winning the playoff stripes.
Nikola Jokic gave them the best punch with 44 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, which they absorbed and knocked back.
Oklahoma City's own best player was the electric player of the game, ending with 31 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and two blocks.
He received full support when the other five players hit double digits.
Jokic is not that lucky. No other player hit doubles except Jamal Murray's 28 points and Aaron Gordon's 13 points.
Thunder Rule Q4
After entering eight points in the fourth quarter, it seems that the Nuggets' experience proves that there are too many young Thunder.
But when gut checks time, Oklahoma City gets an uplift from an unlikely source. After struggling throughout the series, Luguentz Dort excelled in four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. It's just the motivation the team needs, and Gilgeous-Alexander is at his best, that's enough.
The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 34-19 in the fourth quarter, using its suffocating defense to shut everyone down except Jokic.
In the fourth quarter, Jokic scored 13 points on 4 of 6 shots, while the rest of the team shot 1-1 in 15 innings.
Denver will have to lick hurt two games and they should win. On Thursday, they will be back home to keep their season going.
