Denver was pushed to its limits near Indianapolis, where Rick Carlisle's men put up a tough battle despite the absence of their leader, Tyrese Haliburton, who was still injured. In particular, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic had to take out their clutch player costumes to snatch the decision at the end, with 31 points for the two players and a triple-double for the Joker.
The Pacers managed to take the best from the start, relying in particular on a bleeding Pascal Siakam (18-15). Opposite, Jamal Murray also slowly rose in temperature with 12 points in the first quarter and an assist for Peyton Watson's 3-pointer (28-28).
The first blade for KCP
Indiana stayed the course thanks to good passages from Bennedict Mathurin then the McConnell-Nesmith pair, and the gap increased to +13 after a 6-0 concluded by two throws from Myles Turner (53-40). The Nuggets did not give in to panic, and relied on Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic to get back together before the break, the latter clicking a 3-pointer 3 seconds from the buzzer to bring his team back to -8 (62 -54).
Michael Porter Jr's dunk and Jamal Murray's 3-pointer quickly put the pressure back on the Pacers, who ended up cracking on two 3-point baskets in quick succession from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, served twice by the Joker (68-69).
In the wake of the expulsion of Rick Carlisle, unhappy with an arbitration decision, Indiana plunged by conceding an 11-2 to complete the third quarter (81-93). TJ McConnell then kept his team at arm's length by scoring 11 points in a row.
Jokic ends the suspense
The leader then initiated a 13-2 which allowed Indiana to get back in front on a 3-pointer from Ben Sheppard 3 minutes from time (103-102). But the big man of “money time” was Nikola Jokic. The Serbian scored a first 3-pointer before going for two more points near the circle to keep Denver in the lead (107-109). Then it was with another 3-pointer at the head of the racket that he sealed the fate of the match (114-109).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Another masterclass for Nikola Jokic. The MVP of the last NBA finals had to use extreme means to fend off the Pacers. Author of 31 points at 13/19 shooting, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, he was especially decisive at the end with his two 3-point baskets and his lay-up after an offensive rebound which allowed the Nuggets to make the difference.
– The expulsion of Rick Carlisle. The Pacers lost when Rick Carlisle was ejected for a double technical foul. The Indiana coach attacked the referees when KCP had just put Denver in front with two 3-point baskets. Between the two, an uncalled foul on Pascal Siakam made him come off his hinges. As a result, the home side took an 8-0 series lead with both penalty throws, finding themselves having to chase the score.
– The Pacers watered. While they were still in the game in the final moments of the match, Aaron Nesmith twice and Myles Turner had open 3-point positions to prolong the suspense. None of their attempts found the target, symbolizing the general clumsiness of the Pacers on outside shooting last night (5/21).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
