There was no so-called “back to back” for Nikola Jokic and his Denver, who thus won last year.
– It’s difficult because everyone just gets hungrier. Everyone is getting better and wants to beat us, the 29-year-old adds Denver Post.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were outnumbered, winning the seventh straight decisive game 98-90, despite Denver’s home court advantage and a crowd of over 20,000.
But it wasn’t without big plays from the NBA’s most valuable player, Jokic. The Serbian played an incredible 46 of 48 minutes and accounted for 34 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists. He also got a big boost from teammate Jamal Murray, who accounted for 35 points.
Their 69 points turned out to be in vain and Denver is already out in the quarter-finals.
The semifinals are played between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers, as well as the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.