Denver avoids elimination, wins Game 5 to take 3‑2 series lead over Minnesota

Nikola Jokić put Denver’s season on hold Monday night, leading the Nuggets past the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-113 in Game 5 at Ball Arena. (nba.com) (espn.com) The win cut Minnesota’s first-round lead to 3-2 after the Timberwolves had pushed Denver to the brink with a 3-1 advantage. Game 6 is set for Thursday, April 30, in Minneapolis. (nba.com) Jokić finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists, his first triple-double of the series after what NBA.com called a subdued stretch by his standards. Jamal Murray added 24 points. (nba.com) (espn.com) Denver also got a jolt from Spencer Jones, who scored 20 points while filling minutes with Aaron Gordon out injured. ESPN and NBA.com both described Jones as a key spark in the elimination game. (espn.com) (nba.com) The Nuggets changed the game with pressure. Minnesota committed 25 turnovers, and Denver turned that chaos into 16 steals, 35 Timberwolves points conceded off turnovers, and a 62-50 edge in points in the paint. (espn.com) (nba.com) Minnesota still had six players score in double figures, with Julius Randle leading the way with 27 points. But the Timberwolves spent most of the night chasing after Denver built a lead that reached 27. (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2) The result matters because teams facing elimination rarely get a cleaner formula than this: Jokić back in control, Murray scoring efficiently, and role players filling the gaps around them. Denver had led the series 1-0 before Minnesota won three straight. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) Now the pressure shifts back to Minneapolis. Denver needs one more road win Thursday to force a Game 7, and Minnesota needs one steadier night with the ball to close the series. (nba.com) (sports.yahoo.com)