NBA: Knicks a win away from semis, Minnesota survives Denver in OT thriller

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The New York Knicks put on a show in front of their home crowd to dispatch the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4, 102-93, and move one win away from booking an Eastern Conference semifinal ticket while the Minnesota Timberwolves lived another day to avoid a sweep and edged the Denver Nuggets in overtime, 114-108, in the ongoing NBA Playoffs last April 24, 2023.

Jalen Brunson proved again and again that he is worthy of the big contract in New York after leading his team with a 29-point performance against Donovan Mitchell and the talented Cleveland squad.

The former backcourt mate of Luka Doncic in Dallas was outstanding from both ends of the floor and was efficient with his offense after sinking 11 of his 22 total attempts from the field.

Brunson was responsible for New York’s strong start in the first half after extending their lead to as much as 15 points during their fiery second-quarter run.

Aside from his 29-point output, Brunson also recorded six rebounds and six assists including two crucial dimes in the last four minutes that generated four quick points for the Knicks.

Perhaps the biggest story in the game was New York’s consistent perimeter defense. For the second-straight time, the Knicks held the Cavaliers to under 95 points and only shot 6/23 from the three-point territory.

Cleveland’s superstar, Mitchell, was only limited to 11 points on 5/18 shooting from the field and will be looking to bounce back in the win-or-go-home Game 5 to keep the Cavaliers’ season alive.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, Minnesota avoided a 4-0 sweep after nipping Denver in overtime, 114-108.

Tensions rose in Minnesota after the team failed to score in the last three minutes of the final canto and let their lead slip away which Denver capitalized.

Nikola Jokic had the chance to give the Nuggets a 97-96 lead but only converted one of his two shots from the charity stripe that gave the Timberwolves a chance to bounce back in the extra five minutes of action.

Not willing to disappoint the thousands of their fans in attendance, Anthony Edwards displayed a clutch performance and drilled the cold-blooded three-point dagger with 11 seconds left in OT which gave them a 112-108 lead.

Edwards led Minnesota in scoring for the third-straight time and turned in 34 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.

Mike Conley, Minnesota’s steady veteran guard who also came up big in OT after sinking a three-pointer, finished the game with 19 points and eight assists.

Jokic had a monster night for Denver after dropping 43 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists but was not enough to help the Nuggets grab an early semifinal ticket.