It was the dunk heard around the globe, with Orlando’s Jamal Cain throwing down top-of-the-line finishes you’ll see this postseason, serving to the Magic take down the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
The outcome leaves Detroit on the point of elimination, however Nikola Jokic’ Nuggets have averted that destiny… for now.
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Learn on for a full NBA playoffs wrap!
NUGGETS SURVIVE ELIMINATION
The Denver Nuggets have stored their season alive, beating Minnesota 125-113 to chop the sequence deficit to 3-2.
Nikola Jokic led the way in which with a dominant triple-double, ending with 27 factors, 16 assists and 12 rebounds as Denver averted a first-round exit.
With Anthony Edwards sidelined for the Timberwolves, the Nuggets took management early and by no means let go. They led by 13 at half-time and pulled away additional after the break with a powerful second-half displaying.
Jokic’s efficiency marked his nineteenth playoff triple-double since 2020, placing him alongside the likes of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic in that span.
Spencer Jones supplied a shock increase, stepping up with 20 factors on an environment friendly 7-of-9 capturing whereas Jokic rested.
Christian Braun picked up a technical foul after throwing down a dunk on Jaden McDaniels and pointing at him, although with the outcome already determined, the Nuggets had little motive to fret.
It was an entire efficiency from Denver underneath coach David Adelman. Now, the main target shifts to Sport 6 in Minnesota, the place the Nuggets will look to degree the sequence.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER COMPLETE SERIES SWEEP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 factors and the defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder swept into the second spherical of the NBA playoffs on Monday with a 131-122 victory at Phoenix.
The highest-seeded Thunder captured the Western Convention best-of-seven sequence 4-0, finishing a 3rd consecutive sweep within the opening spherical.
“We simply got here in prepared,” mentioned Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Like to play basketball, a gaggle filled with nice children which have enjoyable collectively.
“We do it for one another. None of us are egocentric. All of us need the following man to succeed and when you’ve got these three issues and put them collectively you get success.”
Oklahoma Metropolis will meet both the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets in a second-round sequence. The Lakers lead that matchup 3-1.
“Finally, we’ve received to get higher within the days between our subsequent opponent,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned.
The Thunder grew to become the primary group to succeed in the second spherical of the playoffs.
TOP SEED DETROIT FACING ELIMINATION
It’s a significant shift within the sequence, with one of many championship favourites now going through a must-win Sport 5 in Detroit to maintain their season alive.
Desmond Bane led the way in which for Orlando with 22 factors, flattening 5 threes and delivering the decisive blow with a clutch triple that pushed the Magic forward 92-86 with 1:16 remaining.
Orlando’s defence sealed it from there, holding Detroit with no area objective within the ultimate 5 minutes. Isaiah Stewart added a late bucket on the buzzer, however it was too late to alter the end result.
Franz Wagner completed with 19 factors for the Magic earlier than exiting with a sore proper calf, whereas Paolo Banchero contributed 18 factors and eight rebounds.
Jamal Cain additionally delivered a spotlight second, throwing down a robust fourth-quarter dunk over Jalen Duren that despatched social media into overdrive and is already being talked about as one of many standout playoff dunks in latest reminiscence from the 2022 undrafted 27-year-old.
The Magic now lead the best-of-seven sequence 3-1 and may wrap issues up in Detroit on Thursday.
For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham led the scoring with 25 factors and Tobias Harris added 20, however turnovers proved expensive. Detroit coughed up the ball 20 instances, double Orlando’s complete.
Regardless of ending the common season 60–22 and topping the Jap Convention, the Pistons now face the true prospect of a shock early exit. Orlando, who went 45–37 to complete eighth, are inside attain of their first second-round look since 2010.
The opening levels noticed momentum swing each methods. Orlando jumped out to a 19-7 lead earlier than lacking 13 straight photographs, permitting Detroit to shut the primary quarter on a 20-7 run for a 27-26 benefit. The Magic responded with a 17-6 run to finish the second quarter and take a 54-52 lead on the break, earlier than edging clear late.