After the first two games of the playoff semifinal series, Denver is tied 1-1 in Colorado and seems to have to be satisfied with a break against the best team in the league. However, game number two showed how powerful Oklahoma is, which is why they are the first favorite for the NBA crown.
The Thunder "smashed" the Nuggets 149:106, setting records in the second duel and probably reaching a 1:1 tie in the West more easily than they expected.
At the same time, the champion in the East is struggling - the brilliant New York made another break against Boston (91:90) and with a huge 2:0 lead awaits two matches in their "Madison Square Garden".
When it comes to the game at the Paycom Center, it is enough to mention that Oklahoma scored 45 points in the first quarter, and an unreal 87 by the end of the first half, so it was clear that they had prepared a great response after the loss in the first game.
Those 87 points are an NBA record for the most points scored in the first half of a playoff game - the previous record after the first two quarters was held by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who scored 2017 points against Golden State in the 86 Finals.
Shay Gilges-Alexander and his teammates also tied the record for most points in any half of a playoff game, after Milwaukee scored 87 points in the second half against Denver back in 1978.
MVP duel: Gilges-Alexander 13-11, Jokić - 36
Gilges-Alexander led the home team and reminded everyone why he, along with Jokić, is the main candidate for the MVP award - the Canadian made 11 of 13 shots, hit all 11 free throws and finished the match with 34 points and eight rebounds.
The key to the victory was certainly the complete stoppage of Nikola Jokić - the guy who scored 42 points and had 22 rebounds for Denver in the first game, now due to personal fouls he finished the game in the third quarter with 17 points, but with many misses and -36 in the +/- category.
Chet Holmgren, the tragic figure in the first game, was now at his best along with Gilges-Alexander with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Jaylen Williams was also great with 17 points and eight assists. The most efficient player for Denver was former Oklahoma player Russell Westbrook with 19 points.
Knicks melt minus 20 again, Bridges steals key ball again
New York once again demolished the champion in his temple and reached the 2-0 lead against Boston in practically the same way as in the first match.
Once again, the Knicks melted away the minus 20 (73:53 in the third quarter) and once again Mikal Bridges stole the ball on the Celtics' last attack - this time from Jayson Tatum.
Before that, master finisher Jalen Branson hit two free throws for 91:90.
Josh Hart was the most efficient player on the winning team with 23 points, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 points and 17 rebounds, Branson added 17 points and seven assists, while Bridges scored 14 points and seven rebounds.
For Boston, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 20 points.
The series now moves to New York - awakening of champions or new lessons for the Knicks?
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