Nuggets stay alive as Jokic's triple-double powers Game 5 win vs Wolves

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Nuggets stay alive as Jokic's triple-double powers Game 5 win vs Wolves image

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

The Denver Nuggets will live to fight another day. They staved off elimination in Game 5 of their first-round series with Minnesota on Tuesday (PH time), recording an emphatic 125-113 victory at Ball Arena.

Nikola Jokic stuffed the stat sheet against the Timberwolves, posting another playoff triple-double with 27 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds. He shot 9-for-15 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

He helped the Nuggets build a 60-51 advantage at the half, dropping 13 points in the first two quarters. Denver then pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Minnesota 37-24 during that period to stretch its lead to 22 points entering the final 12 minutes of play.

The Nuggets never looked back after that as they sent the series back to Minnesota for Game 6. Jamal Murray also contributed in the blowout win, amassing 24 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Julius Randle scored a team-high 27 points for the shorthanded Wolves, who missed the services of injured stars Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. Ayo Dosunmu scored 18 points after he was inserted to the starting lineup.

Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland each scored 15 points off the bench for the Wolves, who still lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

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