Murray, Jokic help Nuggets repel Wolves
DENVER — Jamal Murray had 22 points to lead six Denver players in double figures, Nikola Jokic wrapped things up with a late tip-in and the Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-96, on Thursday night (Friday Manila time) in a pivotal matchup between teams vying for a playoff spot.
The victory moved Denver (44-35) into a tie, record-wise, with Minnesota for the eighth spot with three games remaining. Both are a half-game behind New Orleans.
Jokic finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while reserve Devin Harris added 20 for the Nuggets. The playoff jockeying between these two teams could go down to the wire with Minnesota hosting Denver in the regular season finale on Wednesday.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds before fouling out with 1:46 remaining.
Up 98-96 with 6.6 seconds remaining, Will Barton took a shot that bounced off the rim and in Jokic's direction. He batted it in to seal the win. Denver made six straight free throws in the final 2 minute.
Minnesota had a familiar face available and sitting on the bench in Jimmy Butler, but he didn't get into the game. Butler has been out since suffering a right knee injury on February 23 at Houston. The Wolves are 8-9 since Butler was sidelined.
This game featured quite a showdown between two elite big men in Towns and Jokic. They pushed and shoved each other around, before Towns fouled out with 1:46 remaining while trying to cover Murray on the perimeter. Jokic, who had five fouls, struggled with his shot early but came up big at the end.
Denver caught fire late in the third behind the shooting of Harris, who had nine points to help the team close out the quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 79-72 lead.
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