Dwyane Wade on today’s NBA players
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The Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder playoff series is going the distance. The teams meet Sunday in a Game 7 that will decide who will earn the right to go to the Western Conference finals.
The Nuggets stayed alive in Game 6, earning a 119-107 home win Thursday behind a strong effort from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The latter scored 25 points while playing through an illness, including nine points in the third quarter, to help Denver build its advantage.
The Thunder will look to bounce back and will continue to rely on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in their efforts to make the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2012. Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 28.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game during the postseason and scored a game-high 32 points in Oklahoma City’s Game 6 loss.
The winner of Game 7 will face the Minnesota Timberwolves for a right to go to the NBA Finals. The loser will head into the offseason ruing their inability to close out what has been a neck-and-neck series.
Here’s what to know about Sunday’s Nuggets vs. Thunder game and how to watch it:
The Thunder went on a 18-5 run to close the first half with a 14-point lead over the Nuggets, marking their largest of the game. Turnovers have been costly for the Nuggets and Oklahoma City has capitalized. Denver has turned the ball over 12 times in the first half, surrendering 12 points as a result.
After struggling in Game 6 with only six points, Jalen Williams came alive in the second quarter and scored 17 points, in addition to three assists and one steal. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 12 points. The Thunder has doubled the Nuggets in points in the paint (40-20) and fast break points (5-10).
Nikola Jokic has 17 points and six rebounds for the Nuggets, while Christian Braun has 12 points. Jamal Murray has been quiet so far with only four points in the seventh Game 7 of his career.
The Nuggets led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter, but the Thunder closed the quarter on a 11-5 run to come within five points of Denver. Christian Braun has a team-high nine points. Nikola Jokic added seven points, four rebounds and three assists. Aaron Gordon, who is visibly limping as he plays through a hamstring strain, collected five rebounds and scored three points.
Oklahoma City is shooting 38.5% from the field, compared to 45.0% for Denver. Chet Holmgren has a team-high six points and four rebounds.
What time is Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 7?
Game 7 of the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series will tip off Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
How to watch Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 7: TV, streamTime: 3:30 p.m. ETLocation: Paycom Center in Oklahoma CityTV: ABCStream: Sling TV, YouTube TV, Fubo (free trial)
Watch Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 7 on Fubo
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon will try to play with a strained left hamstring against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinals series Sunday.
Gordon has been listed as questionable but participated in pregame warmups, and the Nuggets then upgraded his status to available and put him in the starting lineup.
Gordon didn’t do any strenuous jumping or running during his warmup. He sustained a left hamstring strain chasing a loose ball late in the Nuggets’ 119-107 Game 6 victory against the Thunder. It won’t take long to see what Gordon can provide.
Hartenstein averaged career-highs in points (11.2), rebounds (10.7) and assists (3.8) in 57 regular season games this year. He’s averaging 11.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists through six games of the conference semifinals vs. Denver.
In 77 games in the regular season, Porter averaged 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists. However, Porter has struggled in the conference semifinals, averaging only 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists in six games against the Thunder.
With Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon very likely sidelined with a hamstring strain, Denver’s chances to upset the No. 1 seed Thunder on the road become far more precarious.
Lorenzo Reyes: Oklahoma City, 107-102
Heather Tucker: Denver, 108-105
Jeff Zillgitt: Oklahoma City, 110-95
Nuggets vs. Thunder NBA playoff schedule, results
(Series tied 3-3)
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