Denver Nuggets on Brink of NBA Playoffs Second Round After Thrilling Win Against LA Clippers
The Denver Nuggets have taken a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers after a thrilling 131-115 win in Game 5. Jamal Murray’s breakout performance, scoring a game-high 43 points, was instrumental in the Nuggets’ victory. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Murray scored 24 of his points in the second half, including 11 points in the third quarter and 13 points in the fourth.
The Nuggets, who never trailed in the game, led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter. Nikola Jokic contributed to the win with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, marking his third triple-double of the series. "Murray scored 11 points in a momentum-turning third quarter… and added 13 more in the fourth, the last on a 3-pointer with 2 minutes 13 seconds left that put the Nuggets up by 20," Al Jazeera reported.
The Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard’s 20 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, were unable to overcome the Nuggets’ strong performance. James Harden was held to just 11 points on 3-for-9 shooting. The Clippers did mount a late comeback, using a 17-4 run to get within 116-107 with 4:01 left, but the Nuggets’ bench, led by Russell Westbrook’s 21 points, helped seal the win.
In other NBA playoff news, the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers have clinched their series. The Pacers came back from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 119-118 in overtime, securing a 4-1 victory in their Eastern Conference duel. The Celtics overpowered the Orlando Magic with a 120-89 win at Boston’s TD Garden. The New York Knicks, however, missed the chance to join Boston and Indiana in the second round after losing 106-103 to the Detroit Pistons.
The Pacers’ win was marked by a remarkable overtime performance, with Tyrese Haliburton scoring the game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds left on the clock. "Both teams literally left every single ounce of everything they had out there, including timeouts – nobody had anything left," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. "But you know, fortune favours the bold. And our guys were bold in the last three quarters, and we’re very grateful and thankful to be moving on."
The Denver Nuggets can seal their spot in the second round with a win in Game 6 on Thursday night in Los Angeles. With Murray’s impressive performance and the team’s strong bench play, they will be confident in their ability to close out the series.
The NBA playoffs continue to thrill fans with their exciting matchups and dramatic finishes. As the series conclude, teams will be looking to make their mark and advance to the next round. With expert analysis and in-depth coverage, Al Jazeera is providing comprehensive reporting on all the action.
