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:
2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Cavaliers 109-93 Behind Hart’s Postseason Career-High 26 in East Finals
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 22 May 2026Rep. Barzaga invited in Bakbakan sa Putatan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026Weights Set from San Jose: Amari Jones and Vincenzo Gualtieri Cleared for IBF Middleweight Eliminator
Fri, 22 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Gilgeous-Alexander Back to MVP Form as Thunder Top Spurs 122-113 in West Game 2
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 22 May 2026IBA flag raised at the peak of Mount Everest following historic ascent
Fri, 22 May 2026Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
Fri, 22 May 2026Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 21 May 2026AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 May 2026JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
Thu, 21 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 21 May 2026TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
Thu, 21 May 2026Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
Thu, 21 May 2026Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
Thu, 21 May 2026