By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Playoffs triple-doubles have been a theme for Nikola Jokic with his 21 points, 12 rebounds and 11 helpers paving the way for the Denver Nuggets in their 116-112 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers and the knotting up of the best-of-seven series at two apiece. Just of couple of days after playing 65 minutes in the quadruple-overtime loss, the Joker recorded 39 minutes, but Juan Hernangomez remained on the bench again. Enes Kanter ended up with five points, ten boards and one block filling in for injured Jusuf Nurkic despite his severe left shoulder soreness.
The Toronto Raptors also tied their series 2-2 on Sunday. Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 39 points in the 101-96 away victory against the Philadelphia 76ers including a clutch bucket. Marc Gasol finished with 16 points, five boards and three assists, Serge Ibaka had 12 points, nine rebounds and three rejections and OG Anunoby remained out. On the losing side, fellow European Boban Marjanovic didn’t get on the board and Furkan Korkmaz didn’t play.