Indiana, Denver Tie Semis Series, 2-2, in Contrasting Fashion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 May 2024
One seemed to give up the fight from the get go while the other tried very hard but just could not overcome.
New York Knicks started flat but could not take off, dropping the fourth game of their semifinal series against Indiana Pacers by a rout, 121-89 in Indiana.
Minnesota Timberwolves on the other hand, give it all they have got but they just could not surmount Denver's almost whole game lead, losing again at home, 115-107.
The rigors of the games must have taken their toll on New York apart from losing OG Anunoby to injury, as the Knicks were without the energy and aggressiveness they showed in sweeping their two home games.
New York must have burned themselves in their failed effort to make it three straight as Andrew Nembhard scored all his five points in the less than two minutes of the last game to frustrate their all out drive, 116-111. The first two games in New York although wins for Knicks, were long drawn battles that were decided virtually in the last few seconds.
Perhaps expecting New York to sustain its energy and intensity is too much for the asking given its decimated bench and some of its regulars playing hurt.
Hence, the Mother's Day Massacre that saw Indiana bowled over New York in every quarter. No Pacer had a particularly super productive game but the rout was achieved by a whole team effort with practically everyone fielded in, contributed in every department.
Tyrese Halliburton with 20 points led six Pacers who scored in double figures who included TJ McConnell, 15 points; Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin with 14 points each, center Miles Turner, 13 points and Isiah Jackson 10 points.
Exemplifying New York's energy meltdown was reserve Alec Burks topping the scoring with 20 points. Jalen Brunson only managed 18 points and Miles McBride 16 points. Usual dependable Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart could only score 7 and 2 points respectively
Meanwhile, once Denver built a sizeable lead in the first half which ended at 64-49 in their favor, the Timberwolves would be reduced to playing catchup till the final buzzer.
Tried hard as they did, all the Timberwolves could manage was cut the deficit to the final score.
Nikola Jokic played like the MVP and led Denver with 35 points. He was supported by Aaron Gordon with 27 points and Jamal Murray with 19 points. Christian Braun and Justin Holiday added 11 points and 10 points respectively.
Anthony Edwards was his usual deadly self with 44 points for the Timberwolves in the losing effort.
The series will return to Denver and New York for the swing game 5.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Ancajas wins 1st bout as feather
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Ito knockouts Lerasan in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Kristian ‘KP’ Prenga developing into Albanian heavyweight boxing GOAT
Tue, 21 Apr 2026IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe amazed with GAB Chairman Rivera’s advocacy for chess players
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 21 Apr 2026‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 21 Apr 20262-Division World Champion Daniel Ponce De León Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Tue, 21 Apr 20262026 NBA Playoffs: First Round Game 1 Recap
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 20 Apr 2026FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu gains a total of 36 rating points, bringing his FIDE rating to 2321 by May after completing 2 chess tournaments in Spain
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 20 Apr 2026Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde Improves to 15-0 with 10th KO
Mon, 20 Apr 2026IBA Bare-Knuckle Director attends historic Gambian Elite National Championships
Sun, 19 Apr 2026