MANILA, Philippines — The Denver Nuggets battled back from a 1-3 series deficit to move on to the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs after escaping the Utah Jazz, 80-78, in Game Seven on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time).
A crucial turnover from Donovan Mitchell in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter doomed the Jazz after Gary Harris swiped the ball from behind.
Denver's Torrey Craig missed a layup that would've sealed the game, Mike Conley botched the potential game-winning three and gave the Nuggets the victory.
WHAT A WILD ENDING TO THIS GAME 7 ???? pic.twitter.com/42zD5SQMnJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 2, 2020
Denver will face the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round.
The Nuggets led the Jazz for most of the game with the frustration of losing a 3-1 series lead seemingly affecting Utah.
But a stellar defensive outing from the Jazz in the second half put them right back into the game.
Rudy Gobert converted on an alley-oop dunk with 47.5 ticks to go to tie the game at 78-all.
Big man Nikola Jokic paced the Nuggets in their series-clinching win with 30 points and 14 rebounds.
While Jamal Murray, who has been on a tear in their comeback efforts, tallied 17 markers.
Mitchell top-scored for the Jazz in the losing effort with 22 points and nine rebounds.
Gobert posted a double-double with 19 points and 18 rebounds.
Meanwhile in the other game, the Boston Celtics took a comeback win over the Toronto Raptors, 102-99.
Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart outscored the entire Raptors team in the final salvo, 27-21 to walk away with the win.
Celtics now lead the defending champions 2-0.