By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
When asked if he cares about the upcoming MVP announcement, Nikola Jokic replied that he has “zero interest” on it.
Just before that, he proved on the court however what he can do, aiming for the championship ring.
Jokic had 39 points and 16 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix, taking a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Serb superstar scored 26 in the second half as the Nuggets erased a seven-point third-quarter deficit.
Jokic’s big night was necessary as Jamal Murray scored just 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting after he scored 34 in the series opener when he had six 3-pointers. Murray was 0 for 9 from long range Monday night.
Aaron Gordon added 16 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 14 points and went 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, including back-to-back swishes that erased a 73-70 deficit and put the Nuggets ahead for good early in the fourth quarter.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 35 points and Kevin Durant added 24.
The teams get an extended break before the series resumes with Game 3 in Phoenix on Friday night.
The Suns, who lost Chris Paul to a tight left groin late in the third quarter, took a 73-70 lead thanks to Booker’s 31 points — which matched Jokic’s output — entering the fourth quarter, but it was not enough.
No Embiid but a road win
James Harden matched his playoff career high with 45 points and hit a go-ahead, step-back 3-pointer over Al Horford with 8.7 seconds left as the 76ers rallied without Joel Embiid to beat Boston 119-115 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“We didn’t come into the game expecting to lose. We came in here to win,” Harden said. “Whether Jo comes back or not, we’re going to be ready to go.”
Tyrese Maxey added 26 points and Tobias Harris finished with 18 for the Sixers, who made 17 3-pointers with Embiid watching from the bench. He sprained his right knee in Game 3 of Philadelphia’s first-round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 39 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 23 points and Malcolm Brogdon finished with 20.
Boston hosts Game 2 on Wednesday night.