After the Game 6 win against the Thunder, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic highlighted key factors that will decide the series finale: defense, rebounding, turnovers, and game pace.
The Denver Nuggets forced a Game 7 with a 119-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, keeping their title hopes alive, and now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s do-or-die showdown.
Player of the Game
Nikola Jokic
46
Nikola Jokic
Points
Accuracy
Rebounds
Assists
Nikola Jokic, who led the way with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, knows exactly what it’ll take to come out on top in Oklahoma City.
“Defense, details, rebounding for us, especially for how much they are attacking the glass. Turnovers for us,” Jokic said in a post-game press conference. “Depends how the games open up.”
“Because they want to push the pace, they want to drive and kick, they want to find out the looks. And we want maybe a bit of a slower game that gets open looks differently. I think the details, defense, box out, turnovers, that is probably going to decide the winner,” he added.
Despite battling through an illness, Jamal Murray played 42 minutes, finishing with 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on 9-of-19 shooting.
One of the surprise heroes of the night was rookie guard Julian Strawther, who came off the bench and made a huge impact. In just 20 minutes, Strawther dropped 15 points and hit three of his four shots from deep.
The Thunder were led once again by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who put up 32 points and six assists. Chet Holmgren added a double-double with 19 points and 11 boards, and Lu Dort chipped in 10 points.
With the series tied 3-3, Game 7 tips off Sunday in Oklahoma City.
Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.