NBA playoffs: NY Knicks and Nuggets on the verge of finals with 3-2 lead
Al Jazeera
Brunson’s 44 points gave the Knicks a 121-91 win over Pacers, while MVP Jokic led the Nuggets to victory over the Timberwolves in Game 5.
The New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets took a 3-2 lead each by winning their home games in the Eastern and Western Conference semifinal series.
Jalen Brunson scored 44 points for hosts Knicks, who routed the Indiana Pacers 121-91 in Game 5 at a star-studded Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
The Knicks, who lost Games 3 and 4 in Indianapolis, now hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. New York will attempt to clinch a berth in the Eastern Conference finals with a road win in Game 6 on Friday.
Brunson, who scored at least 40 points for the fifth time in 11 playoff games this spring, added seven assists and four rebounds in 43 minutes.
Josh Hart logged 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, and Isaiah Hartenstein pulled down 17 rebounds. Hartenstein’s 12 offensive boards tied a franchise playoff record set by Charles Oakley against the Chicago Bulls on May 15, 1994.