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.
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