Thunder dominate fourth quarter to defeat Nuggets

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets have been involved in a hard-fought and often close series. Game 5 started out no different.

Both teams held double figures leads in the first half. This includes the Nuggets leading by 11 with 2:32 remaining in the second quarter.

Just when it looked like the game might be blown open, the Thunder ended the half on a 9-0 run, cutting the Nuggets’ lead to 56-54 at the break.

The second half started off as another hard-fought close quarter until the Nuggets went on a 14-3 run in the middle of the third. Denver took an eight-point lead into the final period, but it wouldn’t hold.

The Thunder dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 34-19. MVP frontrunner Shai Gilegeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder, scoring 10 points on 3-5 shooting in the fourth.

The Nuggets’ MVP, Nikola Jokic, had a great fourth himself, scoring 13 of his game-high 44 points. On this night, however, it wouldn’t be enough.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 for the game, helping to lead the Thunder to a 112-105 victory. The Thunder now lead the series 3-2, and will have a chance to close the series out on Thursday, at 8:30 PM EST.