NBA Playoffs: Thrilling Game 3, Hartenstein & Cavs Battle Back

OKC’s Hartenstein and Nuggets Engage in an Extra-Time Marathon

The competition in the Western Conference quarter-finals is fierce, as evidenced by the jaw-dropping Game 3 between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite being the best team in the regular season, the Nuggets found themselves in a thrilling and tense overtime battle that ended in their favor, 113-104.

Following Oklahoma’s emphatic Game 2 victory, the scene shifted to Denver’s Ball Arena for Game 3. The game swung back and forth like a pendulum, with the lead changing hands 15 times. Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP, missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer, but the Nuggets ultimately prevailed 11-2 in overtime. German center Isaiah Hartenstein, who finished with a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds), struggled in the extra period, missing all three of his attempts.

The Nuggets were led by Jokic’s 20 points and 16 rebounds, while Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both scored 18 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma’s Jalen Williams emerged as the game’s top scorer with 32 points. After the game, Jamal Murray reflected on the Nuggets’ hard-fought victory, “That was all we could do. You are a great team. They put us on the test all night, and we could stay tuned and get the victory. So it was a good team victory.”

The series is now tied at 2-2, with the Thunder needing a win in Game 4 on Sunday (9:30 p.m./DAZN) to regain home-court advantage.

Cavaliers Tie Their Series with Indiana Pacers

Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a crucial victory, leveling their series against the Indiana Pacers at 2-2. After losing the first two games at home, the Cavs bounced back with a convincing 126-104 win in Indiana.

Mitchell scored 43 points, and the Cavs’ tight defense held Indiana’s superstar Tyrese Haliburton to just four points. Haliburton had sealed Game 2 with a last-second three-pointer. Cleveland’s defensive effort was a significant factor in their return to form.

The Cavs and Pacers will continue their series with Game 5 Tips off in Cleveland.

To stay updated on the latest scores and stats, visit our Nuggets vs. Thunder and Cavaliers vs. Pacers match centers.