The Nuggets start the meeting with an area defense. Unfortunately for them, it has no effect to slow down the Thunder, even less to prevent it from scoring at 3-PTS. Chet Holmgren for example, which is not only good in this first quarter but also provokes the second fault of Nikola Jokic (22-28). Without the Serbian and with a good address sequence from afar, the Nuggets return completely at the start of the second quarter. Follow a rise in power of the defense of Oklahoma City and some easy baskets under the circle for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates, always in front of the break (51-56).
While Nikola Jokic is still angry with his shot, near and far, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon relieves him with award -winning fire. Alex Caruso responds with two shoots behind the arc immediately in an atmosphere that begins to go up. The counter of Peyton Watson on an attempt by Dunk of Chet Holmgren then his 3-PTS please the room. But nothing changes, the Thunder is still in control (80-83).
The Thunder cracks in the worst moment
The last quarter, contrary to what one might expect, does not belong to Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but much more in Aaron Gordon and Jalen Williams. They are the ones who mark the important baskets, the two stars being quite clumsy. With five points in a few seconds, the Thunder winger hurts Denver. But Gordon equalizes, 3-PTS, less than thirty seconds from the term. We then go to overtime (102-102).
Aaron Gordon Ties The Game at 102!
We are heading to ot on espn for game 3! pic.twitter.com/tr1gcs2jla
– NBA (@nba) May 10, 2025
Five minutes more well discussed by the men of David Adelman, who spend a 7-0. Isaiah Hartenstein is missing three shots with one hand near the circle and as the nuggets are very good in this extension, better than their opponents, they win 113-104 and now lead 2-1 in this series.
What to remember
– a perfect extension for Denver. The Nuggets ran after the Thunder the whole game, without ever being too far. Then, in overtime, at the best of moments, they have almost succeeded. A 7-0 to start, a defense that holds, clumsy adversaries: these five minutes turned in their direction, allowing to win this match, so important for the rest of the series.
– Dirty evening for the stars. Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have tried a lot, but not very successful. The first ends with 20 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists, but at 8/25 in the shoot (0/10 to 3-PTS) and with 8 lost balloons. The triple MVP insisted, again and again but it never wanted to return. The Canadian, he compiled 18 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists, being far from his standards with a weak 7/22 in the shoot. It was the second knives – Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray or Jalen Williams – held the barracks on both sides.
– Another victory that slides between Oklahoma City's fingers. Game 1 had been lost after failed free throws of Chet Holmgren and a losing strategy by Mark Daigneault in the last seconds. There, the Thunder can still have big regrets by having led almost the entire meeting, without leaving with the victory. The reaction in Game 2, at home, was authoritarian. What will be that of Game 4, in Colorado?
Upcoming highlights …
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
