Down 2-0 in their series against the New York Knicks, the Indiana Pacers needed a big play in a big moment. They got it on Friday night. With the game tied 106-106 with 19 seconds to play in regulation, Andrew Nembhard hit a step-back go-ahead three-pointer to give the Pacers the lead and propel his team to a 111-106 help victory.
Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton poured in 25 points and added seven assists. It looked bad for his team late in the game. The Knicks led 98-89 with less than 10 minutes left but scored just eight points on their final 18 possessions of the game.
Not a joking matter The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets had been a joke during the first two games of their playoff series against the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves.
However, Nikola “The Joker” Jokić and his teammates got the last laugh on Friday night in a 117-90 blowout victory over the T-Wolves on the road.
Jokic posted a near triple double with 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Jamal Murray awoke from his two-game slumber to score 24 points and Michael Porter Jr. tossed in 21 for the victors.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 19 points. NBA Playoff notes: Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was fined $35,000 for criticizing officials following two games in New York…The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson called his late three- point attempt, “a terrible decision” that led to the Pacers’ win…Jamal Murray was fined $100,000 for throwing a heating pad on to the court in Wednesday’s home loss at Denver…
Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker was tossed from the game in the final minutes of Friday’s after arguing with the officials.
