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00:00the shadows of the rugged rounded rocky mountains where experience is quickly becoming the prevailing
00:06theme of this series between OKC and Denver. Experience folks is a hard teacher. It gives you
00:12the test first and the lesson after that. The experience advantage belonging to Denver in game
00:20one. They hung with it down over 20 points before Aaron Gordon came back and delivered the game
00:26winning dagger with just seconds to go. But the resilient and youngest team in the NBA led by MVP
00:34presumptive winner Shea Gilgis Alexander responded with the requisite test and answers in game two to
00:43even the series at one game apiece. That sets the stage for game three here at Ball Arena as we take
00:50a look at the respective starting lineups. Gilgis Alexander doored in the backcourt with Williams
00:54Holmgren and Hartenstein on the front line for the Thunder. Murray and Brown in the backcourt
00:59for the Nuggets with Porter Jr.
01:02Gordon and the three-time MVP Nikola Jokic on the front line for Denver. Jay Jokic is arguably
01:11coming off maybe the worst game of his playoff career. You would expect some kind of bounce back
01:16from him. Yeah I think Denver has to come out in game three with much more juice and much more energy
01:22and if they keep this game close they use their championship experience down the stretch and their
01:28execution to try to get a win here against Oklahoma City in game three. But one thing Denver has to do
01:34Jonesy is they've got to take care of they've got to take care of the ball. The turnovers have been
01:39too high. 18 turnovers in game one, 20 in game two. You cannot guard runouts. This OKC Thunder team
01:46folks led the NBA during the regular season in points off of turnovers. That is a pertinent part
01:53of their 68-win season formula. Ball Arena is alive.
02:07And they are ready for the requisite response.
02:18Welcome everyone to Ball Arena here in Denver. Mark Jones courtside along with Jay Billis.
02:23And George Zanotto game three between the Oklahoma City Thunder team that won 68 games during the regular season
02:31and the champs a couple of seasons ago with a three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic.
02:38Dylan Williams will bring it across on the opening possession.
02:42Denver starting out the game in a zone and I think you're going to see Oklahoma City go to Jokic's side
02:47early against this zone look.
02:48On the nice back cut and Williams lays it in. He had a good response in game two after a sluggish
02:56offensive game one.
02:59Team's second leading scorer had 17 a couple of nights ago.
03:03Murray working against Stewart.
03:04Hardenstein guarding Jokic. Here's Gordon with five on the shot clock against Holmgren. An improved three-point shooter. That one rims out.
03:18It's going to be important for Denver to keep the Thunder out of transition. Oklahoma City wants to stay out ahead of this Denver defense.
03:27Holmgren was looking for the lob. He signaled it to Hardenstein who gave him a bounce pass instead on the turnover.
03:32Murray around the Jokic screen launching to three. Good contest that time by Lou Dort.
03:40Boy, Lou Dort has done a great job on Jamal Murray. One of the best defenders in the NBA.
03:46Holding him to 38% from the field in the series. There's that patented little floater by Hardenstein which has been so effective on the season for him.
03:56Maybe one of the most reliable shots in the league. Hardenstein shoots 82% on those floaters.
04:05Dort hounding Murray out top. Here's Jokic.
04:07And that's going to be a foul against Hardenstein as we take a look at tonight's star matchup brought to you by Mountain Dew.
04:16Two top MVP candidates and they have lived up to the billing, Jay.
04:20Well, Jokic was magnificent in game one. Putting up numbers, scoring, rebounding, and assists.
04:25That only the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, and Giannis Attentacumbo have matched in the playoffs.
04:32And Shea Gilgis-Alexander is working with four consecutive 30-point games in the playoffs.
04:39If he can get another 30-point game, he matches what he did last year with five straight.
04:43Unbelievable numbers this year from Shea Gilgis-Alexander who led the NBA in 20-point games, 30-point games, 40-point games, as well as 50-point games.
04:56Well, he led the NBA in scoring and field goal attempts, free throws made, but he was also top five in steals.
05:03And he's an excellent defender as well.
05:06Jokic knocks down the first two foul shots.
05:08You're looking at the guy, the only player in the NBA, Gilgis-Alexander, that was in the top five in both offensive and defensive rating.
05:20Jokic knocks down all three foul shots.
05:23Coming off of just 17 in game two.
05:27And Jay, they're back in that zone defense in the half court.
05:29Holmgren had it rim out.
05:33Got his own rebound off the long carom.
05:35Inside to Hartenstein.
05:37Nice cut by Dork.
05:40Five of the shot clock for Gilgis-Alexander.
05:43Got by Jokic and had it knocked away.
05:46Well, even if you get by Nikola Jokic, his hands are so good.
05:50He averages almost a steal and a half a game.
05:53Gordon against Williams.
05:56Good block by Holmgren inside and got possession of the basketball as well.
06:01Well, a good little fake by Gordon, but Holmgren with his length and he's got really good timing as a shot blocker.
06:07Skip pass to the corner.
06:08Dork drives it.
06:09There's that little push shot.
06:11Two for two.
06:12Hartenstein is actually shooting 82% on the season on that little shot, Jay.
06:18Really remarkable.
06:19And he's so consistent with it.
06:20But his job in this game is really going to be defensively to keep a body on Jokic all game long.
06:27Jamal Murray has to feel good about that first jumper going through.
06:32Murray only took nine shots in the previous game.
06:37Gilgis-Alexander probing.
06:39Playing with his food over Porter.
06:42This one comes off to Jokic.
06:45Jokic grabs a rebound.
06:47He can bring it up on his own.
06:49Such a good passer in transition.
06:51Got the switch onto Dork.
06:53And missed the little floater.
06:56In transition, here come the thunder.
06:58There's the lob.
06:59And this time, they delivered it correctly to Holmgren.
07:02Now this team can really get out and run, even though that Denver averages the most transition points in the NBA, 20 a game.
07:13I think that's what you're going to see from Oklahoma City in this game.
07:16They want to beat this Denver defense down the floor as often as possible.
07:20Have a little bit more depth.
07:22And you talk about a guy that needs to see the basketball go through the rim.
07:26Michael Porter Jr. coming off just an eight-point game.
07:29And playing with an ailing shoulder.
07:35Michael Porter Jr. knocked down a couple of shots in the second half of game two.
07:43And David Adelman was saying, hey, maybe that'll carry over to this game.
07:46He's playing with that injured shoulder where he can't really lift both arms above his head.
07:51That's a problem for rebounding.
07:53But he can certainly lift up that right arm and launch up a three.
07:56It's hard to play basketball.
07:57You can't lift both arms above your head.
07:59But it's definitely tough for rebounding.
08:03Against that half-corn zone defense again.
08:06Kildas Alexander sprays it out for three.
08:09And Williams knocks it home.
08:11That's what's so debilitating against the zone, when you can get dribble penetration into that zone.
08:17And what a zone can do, it obviously is a rhythm disruptor, it can be.
08:22But it can get you to stand around.
08:24And that's going to be an offensive foul against Jokic.
08:27His first personal foul with the knee on the illegal screen.
08:31Pretty fluid zone offense here, Jay.
08:32So far, good little drive.
08:36Getting four to play one, basically, making everybody stay home.
08:40And oftentimes on a drive, even on that drive, you're only giving up a two.
08:45Yeah, you really have to fan out the shooters.
08:48Kildas Alexander will get off the basketball.
08:51Skip pass.
08:53One more to Holmgren.
08:54His second three ball is pure.
08:57A really good ball movement against the zone.
09:00And when you have a player like Chet Holmgren that can step away and space the floor and hit a three, that can be tough.
09:07Nice speed inside.
09:09Gordon had it partially blocked.
09:11No foul.
09:12Hartenstein got a piece of it.
09:14Kildas Alexander with the middie.
09:16And a timeout, Denver.
09:18SGA, the president of the middie committee, forcing the timeout.
09:25And a technical foul against the Nuggets.
09:32The NBA Conference Semifinals on ESPN are delivered by Chipotle.
09:36Chipotle, real ingredients, real flavor.
09:39Chipotle, for real.
09:42And in part by Miller Lite, with great taste and only 96 calories.
09:46It's Miller time.
09:49You're watching the NBA playoffs presented by Google.
09:54We're back in Denver for game three of the conference semifinals.
09:59Delivered by Chipotle here at Ball Arena.
10:02And a technical foul called a moment ago on Aaron Gordon.
10:05And he felt he was fouled on that contest by Hartenstein on his dunk attempt.
10:14OKC with an early lead.
10:17Harkton's courtside along with Jay Billis.
10:18George Sedano joining us in just a moment.
10:21The paint, a big part of the story here defensively right for Denver.
10:25Well, Denver started out in a zone, which they did against the Clippers in that first series that they won in seven games.
10:31But so far, Oklahoma City's been able to get the ball into the paint.
10:35Eight points in the paint to start this game.
10:37And then getting penetration, then kicking it out to open shooters has been really good for the Thunder to start this game.
10:44That's kind of counterintuitive against his own defense, isn't it?
10:48Being able to get it in the paint that much?
10:49No, you want to get it in the paint.
10:51It claps the defense, then kick it out.
10:53Porter Jr. knocks down his second three ball.
10:56Well, that's a really good sign for Denver to help him.
11:00If he can stretch the floor a little bit, that gives Jokic a little more room to operate.
11:05Inside, the other Jalen Williams tipped up by Holmgren.
11:08No good.
11:09And Brown controls.
11:12Denver down by six, just underway here.
11:14Approaching the midway point.
11:16Murray over SGA three.
11:21He thought he got hit on that shot.
11:23And there was a little bit of contact after he released it.
11:28Holmgren made his last three ball.
11:30This one is left on the front rim.
11:32Brown with a run out.
11:34And good transition defense that time by the Thunder.
11:36Denver, remember, led the league in fast break points this past season.
11:41Jalen Williams guarding Nikola Jokic.
11:44That puts Holmgren behind with that length.
11:46Tough shot by Jokic.
11:50And Denver pulls to within one.
11:53In the middle of an 8-0 run right now.
11:56That's some of the physicality of game two.
11:58Maybe got to Jokic a little bit.
12:00He's used to physicality, but it wasn't a hit-first mentality for Denver in that game.
12:05This game, they look much more engaged to start.
12:08Jokic at the nail over Williams.
12:14That one halfway down and out.
12:19Builds us Alexander against Brown.
12:22Draws two.
12:23And it knocked out of bounds by Jokic.
12:25It'll stay Thunder basketball with 15 on the clock.
12:28Well, Jamal Murray, when he can rise up and gets that lift on the shot, he is so difficult to defend, especially in the mid-range.
12:37And without the requisite size, Jalen Williams can really be physical and keep a body on Jokic.
12:45But Jokic can turn and shoot right over him.
12:48He'll just Alexander out to Holmgren.
12:51Got a bird in the air and couldn't cash out.
12:54Here comes Murray, who's shooting 41% on his three-pointers during the postseason.
13:02He is a playoff riser.
13:04Jokic for the lead.
13:11There's Jalen Williams.
13:14Coach Dagnall was happy to see him rediscover his offense.
13:17And Holmgren, what a catch and deposit into the bucket.
13:21Yeah, right there in the dunker spot.
13:23That's just a beautiful pass by Jalen Williams, who was such an outstanding playmaker at Santa Clara.
13:31Sam Presky actually saw him when he was scouting Chet Holmgren.
13:36And a response from Murray, who's out of the gate quickly, offensively, with seven points to lead the way for Denver.
13:43Yeah, this is a different Denver team than we saw at the start of game, too.
13:47Lew toward way strong.
13:51Jokic with a rim run matched up against Tork.
13:54Threw him to the court.
13:55No whistle.
13:57Brown.
13:58And that was way off.
14:01Christian Brown is coming off his lowest scoring game of the season.
14:08Holmgren against Jokic.
14:10Man, how many times do you see a seven-foot-one guy put it on the deck like that, Jay?
14:15Well, he's got great skill, but it was the acceleration that was so impressive.
14:20Then went to the left hand on the other side of the bucket.
14:25Here's Murray.
14:26Against his Canadian national team teammate, Lew Dort, on the pick-and-pop.
14:32Jokic lines up the seams on the ball and couldn't get it to go.
14:36Yeah, one with a little double drag.
14:38Gordon rolls to the basket, and then Jokic spaces to the three-point line.
14:42Here's Jalen Williams.
14:45That's the one they call Jay Will.
14:48And he knocks down that three.
14:50The lead is back up to six.
14:52Oklahoma City shooting 53% from the field to start this game.
14:58Denver during the regular season was 20th in defensive rating.
15:03Murray has it rim out, and it's one and done for Denver.
15:05Christian Brown drawing the assignment on Shea Gilgis-Alexander.
15:11Always guards the opponent's best perimeter player.
15:16Holmgren drives it by Jokic.
15:17Fouled, and he'll go to the free-throw line.
15:20That's the second foul against Jokic.
15:24So Coach Adelman will have a decision to make here with 2.49 to go in the first quarter.
15:31An agile and aggressive Chet Holmgren here in the first quarter.
15:35Star Watch brought to you by PayPal, a historic game two for the Thunder.
15:45They had six players in double-figure scores in the first half.
15:51They're the only team to do it in the last 20 playoffs, folks.
15:55And for more on the Thunder, let's go courtside to George Sinano.
15:59Thanks, Jonesy.
15:59When it comes to the mindset of these two teams coming into game three,
16:03they both stress connectivity.
16:04I spoke to Thunder all-star Jalen Williams, and he talked about winning the days in between games.
16:10Their head coach, Mark Dagnall, added,
16:12the goal between games is to get the team in a neutral state of mind.
16:16That momentum doesn't carry over game to game, so don't dwell on the past, good or bad.
16:20For Denver, their coach, David Adelman, told us it's about communication.
16:24We've seen three-time MVP Nikola Jokic be quite vocal in huddles these playoffs,
16:28but Adelman mentioned during both film sessions and huddles, many players beyond Jokic have made their voices heard.
16:33Guys like Aaron Gordon and Christian Brown specifically have made their presence felt, Jonesy.
16:38Yeah, you can see it.
16:39There is a collective taking of equity in the team,
16:43especially in wake of the dismissal of head coach Michael Malone.
16:48And interesting to note that Coach Adelman is leaving Jokic in the ballgame with two personal fouls
16:56in just under three minutes to go in the quarter.
16:58He's the irreplaceable player for Denver, but that means that Oklahoma City needs to go right at him.
17:04And he pulls the three, and it comes off.
17:06Holmgren with the rebound.
17:07That's going to be a foul against Jamal Murray, who just couldn't get out of the way, it seemed.
17:13That's the second-team foul against Denver.
17:16Hartenstein and Isaiah Joe coming in for OKC.
17:19Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook came into the ballgame during the last break for Denver.
17:25Westbrook has basically been Denver's entire bench productivity.
17:29Well, and he's played really well, not only throughout the course of the season, but in the playoffs.
17:34He's got 18 in game one, 19 in game two to go with five assists.
17:39Wallace was on line a little bit strong that time.
17:43There's Gordon into the frontcourt.
17:48Pulling his way to the bucket, and he draws the foul.
17:51He was purposeful and intentional about making contact, it seemed, that time, Jay.
17:57Well, he needs to be aggressive in this game, but especially when he saw Isaiah Joe guarding him.
18:02And Joe is an outstanding shooter, but Gordon is bigger and stronger and decided to just go right at him
18:09and pull his way to the basket.
18:11Just got fouled as he was going up by a help side defender.
18:15Knocks down the first foul shot.
18:16It's time for the upcoming playoff schedule brought to you by PNC Bank.
18:20Tomorrow on ABC.
18:22Man, that series is a little bit upside down.
18:24And according to some, the Celtics and Knicks game three at 3.30 Eastern time.
18:29Then at eight, it's the Timberwolves Warriors game three.
18:32On ABC Sunday, we'll be right back here.
18:34Thunder Nuggets game four.
18:36And then TNT has Cavs Pacers game four as Cleveland got on the board in that series
18:41with a big performance from Donovan Mitchell.
18:43Good block underneath by Jamal Murray defensively.
18:47Went back to that zone on that possession.
18:51Westbrook backing down Joe.
18:53Forced up the shot and drew the contact.
18:56And that'll put Russell Westbrook at the foul line.
19:01Westbrook will give you that inexorable, invariable energy either way coming off the bench.
19:09Foul's going to go against Isaiah Joe, his first.
19:11He was not only good in games one and two of this series, but he was excellent against the Clippers
19:17and really shot it well from three.
19:20Line-up shooting 13 of 31 in that series.
19:23And defenses are going to leave him open so they can give extra help and show extra bodies to Nikoli Jokic.
19:29And if he can knock those shots down, that makes Denver that much more difficult to guard.
19:36The coaches will tell you, Jay, that he has been one of the better off-ball cutters this year.
19:41They're working and playing off of Jokic as he knocks down the second free throw.
19:45The lead is down to five.
19:47Two minutes to go in this opening quarter, game three.
19:51And Denver back in that half-court zone defensively.
19:55They're going to try to overload this zone, but right now Jokic is in the middle of basically a 2-3.
20:01Joe, with the show-and-go, knocks down the middie.
20:08He just gives that little shot fake and one dribble pull-up.
20:11He can really shoot it.
20:13He's got a beautiful stroke.
20:15This team is so deep.
20:17They were in the top five in offensive and defensive efficiency during the regular season.
20:22Off the miss.
20:23Here's Gilgis Alexander.
20:25All right, this is as connected a defensive team as you're going to see in the NBA.
20:30Gilgis Alexander might have gotten hit by Brown.
20:33No whistle.
20:34Caruso pulls.
20:35That's a little bit strong.
20:37And Jokic with the rebound.
20:40Got away with the trouble.
20:41The double dribble there.
20:44Ardenstein meets him with a high pickup point.
20:46Murray rejects the screen, now uses it.
20:51Wallace on Murray.
20:53Sprays it out to the wing for three.
20:55Westbrook, who's usually very proficient from the corners.
20:59Off the mark.
20:59Another minute to go in the first quarter.
21:02Porter Jr. trying to check back into the ballgame.
21:05Dagnalt choreographing traffic from the sidelines for the Thunder.
21:09Gildis Alexander, a little bit strong.
21:18Jokic with the rebound.
21:19A two for one if they want it.
21:22Murray picked up well in transition and double teamed.
21:27Boy, this team pressures you.
21:29They really do a great job of putting pressure on the ball.
21:32And their gap presence is outstanding.
21:34Their rotations.
21:36They cover up for one another.
21:37And then they've got really good rim protection.
21:40I was going to go against Isaiah Joe.
21:42But look at this.
21:43That was after an outlet pass by Nikola Jokic, where it should have been advantage Denver.
21:51But this Oklahoma City team gets back with a purpose.
21:54They stop the ball.
21:56And you mentioned their depth.
21:58They just come at you in waves.
22:01And everybody on this Thunder team seems to embrace their role.
22:07Lots of knockdown the first free throw.
22:09Looking at the reigning coach of the year on the sidelines for OKC, Mark Dagnalt.
22:18Keep in mind that this Thunder team won 22 games his first year.
22:23And to look at where they are now is really a testament to their growth and player development.
22:28Well, their culture is a franchise.
22:29I mean, led by Sam Presti, their general manager.
22:33But, you know, they've stuck with Mark Dagnalt.
22:36And he's done a fantastic job.
22:37There's consistency here.
22:39Russo with a great look.
22:40Couldn't cash out.
22:42Joe with great hustle.
22:43Got it up in time.
22:44But it's off the mark.
22:45And that's the end of the first 12 minutes of play.
22:48The Thunder with the lead.
22:52Chet Holmgren leading the way with 11 points for the Thunder.
22:56That's the end of the first quarter here in Denver.
22:58We'll be back with more after this.
23:00You're watching the NBA playoffs presented by Google.
23:10We're back in Denver for Game 3 of the conference semifinals delivered by Chipotle.
23:13We're here with Mark Dagnalt, the head coach of the OKC Thunder.
23:16How do you feel the first quarter went?
23:17Pretty good.
23:18I liked our stops.
23:19We got back, set in transition.
23:21Offensively, we had a nice blend.
23:22They played zone a bunch here in the first quarter.
23:24How do you attack that?
23:25Pretty good.
23:25I thought we were all right.
23:26We got good shots.
23:27We got on the offensive glass.
23:28We just got to keep just finding breaks in it.
23:30Coach, good luck.
23:31Guys, back to you.
23:33Westbrook against Caruso.
23:34Nice cut by Porter Jr.
23:36In traffic, able to finish.
23:39Boy, it's been a different ballgame so far for him.
23:42Off to a great start.
23:44Well, that's good news for Denver.
23:45But Michael Porter Jr. has had a really good year.
23:4818 points a game.
23:49He's a solid rebounder and shot his best percentage of his young career.
23:54Shot 50% from the field on the season.
23:56Great anticipation.
23:57And room service for Russ.
24:05Well, he read that all the way.
24:09Wallace against Murray.
24:12Jalen Williams inside through the hit.
24:15And he'll go to the free throw line for a couple of attempts.
24:17Westbrook basically on the left side of the lane, just below the three-point line, and just did a great job of shooting the gap, reading the eyes of the passer, and taking it the other way.
24:33One thing Denver's done really well in this game, they have taken care of the ball.
24:38We talked about 18 turnovers for Denver in game one, 20 in game two.
24:43Wow.
24:43You're not going to be able to guard those runouts that Oklahoma City can get off those turnovers.
24:48Just one turnover in the first quarter for the Nuggets.
24:52Led the league during the regular season in points off of turnovers as Williams knocks down both free throws.
24:58Allen Williams now, two for two from the field, seven points.
25:06Inside, good pass by Westbrook.
25:09And that's going to be a foul, sending Watson to the free throw line.
25:12If they can get some productivity out of guys like Watson and Westbrook off the bench, what does it mean for Denver?
25:19Well, it means they can get some guys some rest.
25:21I mean, they've basically gone with seven guys throughout the postseason and toward the end of the season.
25:26You know, they're super seven, but Peyton Watson, his third year out of UCLA, he's long, he's athletic, can block shots, get deflections.
25:34He's a good defender, and he can rise to contest against his matchup.
25:40Hey, tomorrow afternoon on ABC, it's game three of the series between the Celtics and the Knicks,
25:45with New York up 2-0 in that series.
25:47Madison Square Garden, the backdrop, then in prime time, it's game three between Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves,
25:54and the Golden State Warriors, that series knotted at one apiece.
25:57But the Garden is going to be a scene for that game three.
26:01Ear-piercing, Wiggins from deep, comes off, and the Thunder with the offensive rebound.
26:08Here's Williams.
26:09Boy, that was a great job by Alex Caruso.
26:12And that's going to be a foul against OKC.
26:15And that's going to be Westbrook catalyzing that entire sequence with his energy and anticipation again, Jay.
26:22They're doing a really good job of coming from behind to knock that ball away.
26:29And then Jalen Williams picks up the foul.
26:32Otherwise, Westbrook would have taken that the other way for an easy one.
26:35There's a reason why Jokic lobbied the front office to acquire Westbrook during the offseason.
26:41Gordon rattles home a three.
26:45What a difference in his shot from last year to this year.
26:48Shot 43% from three on the year.
26:52No more hitch.
26:53Everything's fluid.
26:55Williams over Porter Jr.
26:58A defiant jumper gives them a three-point advantage.
27:01He's just two of 12 from three against the Nuggets in games one and two.
27:08Really struggled overall from the field, but he has a complete game.
27:13Murray picked up his dribble.
27:15Seven on the shot clock.
27:16Back out to Porter Jr.
27:18Over Williams.
27:19Yes!
27:22Yes!
27:22Yes!
27:22Yes!
27:23Yes!
27:24Yes!
27:24Yes!
27:25Yes!
27:25Yes!
27:26Yes!
27:26Yes!
27:27Yes!
27:28Yes!
27:29Yes!
27:30Great finish.
27:32Remember, Murray's got to be careful.
27:34He also has two personal fouls.
27:38That shot by Michael Porter Jr.
27:40Jalen Williams was draped all over.
27:42Surprised he could even see the basket.
27:45Westbrook got it!
27:52Boy, what a boost off the bench.
27:55Russell Westbrook Williams rattles that one home.
27:58Jalen Williams now in double-digit scoring with 11 on a perfect 4-for-4.
28:03Denver's got to do a better job of guarding the ball.
28:06Right now, Oklahoma City's getting into the lane just about whenever they feel like
28:10and breaking the defense down.
28:12Murray got a couple of staggered screens, cross-court skip pass.
28:16Watson for three, got it.
28:19And Denver with a one-point advantage.
28:25First lead of the ball game.
28:28Terusso with a nice splash to the mid-post.
28:36And for the most part, it's been one shot and out.
28:40Murray around the world.
28:43And here's Williams on the run out.
28:46He's got Wiggins with him.
28:48Holmgren wide open for the punts.
28:51Yeah, that's just too easy.
28:53Not everybody in blue getting back with a sense of urgency.
28:56Chet Holmgren just waltzed down Main Street for that bucket.
29:01Got 13 points in the ball game.
29:03Porter off the wide action over Williams.
29:06Again, that jumper is wet.
29:10Maybe only need one arm.
29:15Holmgren fouled by Watson on the drive.
29:17That's going to be his first personal foul.
29:24Michael Porter Jr.'s 5 of 5 from the field in this game.
29:28And it's not like these shots are easy.
29:30We talk about a contested three with Jalen Williams right on him.
29:35And this one wasn't easy either.
29:38Fading away with a hand up from a really good defender in Williams.
29:43Holmgren open underneath.
29:45Great pump fake.
29:46Put two in the air.
29:48And slammed it home.
29:50Boy, Chet Holmgren having himself a half.
29:526 of 10 from the field.
29:5415 points.
29:55Able to expunge the memory of those two crucial and critical missed foul shots that may have cost them part of game one.
30:05I thought Mark Dagnall made a really good point to us before the game.
30:08He was saying that his injury issues have really helped change his perspective when there's a fail.
30:15Yeah.
30:15It was a failure to miss those two free throws.
30:19But he's able to move on from it and move on in a positive direction.
30:23He's certainly done that.
30:25Holmgren, after missing those two critical foul shots at the end of game one, folks, went 7 for 7 in the subsequent game two.
30:34He's off to a great start here with 15 when we come back.
30:37Dose of winning brought to you by Dose Aquis.
30:42Michael Porter Jr. has rediscovered his touch.
30:45Well, he's 5 of 5 from the field.
30:4713 points.
30:483 of 3 from 3.
30:50And knocking down this contested one.
30:53Got wide open on a fade screen.
30:55Knocked it down.
30:56But here, going over Holmgren, getting his legs taken out.
30:59Fell on that left shoulder.
31:00You can see him holding it afterwards.
31:02You've got to give him a lot of credit for playing through this injury.
31:05His team needs him.
31:07And he's really delivering.
31:08But in games one and two, Porter was 3 of 18 from the field.
31:13But tonight, 5 of 5, as we mentioned, 13 points to start this game.
31:18That's a difference-making performance.
31:20And now Jokic back in the game.
31:21And then Denver back into the zone.
31:23They survived the non-Jokic minutes.
31:26And that time, it was Wiggins with the floater over Jokic.
31:30Make it a three-point lead for the Thunder.
31:32Zeke Nagy in the ballgame as well.
31:36Porter Jr. off the screen.
31:38Fouled.
31:39And he'll go to the free-throw line for a couple of shots.
31:42Let's go to George for more on Michael Porter Jr.
31:45Jones EJ.
31:47Michael Porter Jr. dealing with that AC joint injury on his left shoulder.
31:51Talked about how he's disappointed in his own lack of production.
31:54He still felt it was essential, though, for him to move ahead.
31:57His quote to the collective media was,
31:59I just think in a do-or-die situation, I've got to be there for our team.
32:02I don't feel the reason to rest it at this point.
32:06I think if I'm not able to perform out there, they'll put someone else in there
32:10that's able to perform better for the team.
32:12And if that's what we've got to do, that's what we've got to do.
32:14But I'm definitely going to go out there and try
32:16because I may be able to make an impact that he's doing that tonight.
32:19He may have an injured AC joint,
32:21but he's certain is not suffering from a motivator cuff injury.
32:27Off the miss.
32:28Here comes Jokic.
32:31Got it stolen away from behind.
32:34You've got to be so careful with the basketball around the Thunder defensively.
32:38Back out to Wiggins.
32:40The three ball is good.
32:42But what a great job by Alex Caruso.
32:45Not only keeping the ball alive on the glass on that last possession,
32:49but getting that takeaway from behind.
32:53What a pass by Russell Westbrook inside to Brown,
32:57but he was tied up by Gilgis Alexander.
32:59Jump ball.
33:01Caruso's keeping a couple, kept a couple balls alive,
33:03but look how he pursues that back tap against Nikola Jokic.
33:08And Shea Gilligan's Alexander with that second jump,
33:11keeping the ball alive,
33:12and ultimately it gets out because of that offensive rebound.
33:16Hartenstein got a piece of it, too.
33:18Wallace, baseline fade, and Hartenstein now.
33:22There's that little push shot.
33:24Told me earlier today that his father, Florin,
33:26taught him that shot when they played together in Germany professionally.
33:32Well, it makes me feel old.
33:33I called his dad's games.
33:35His dad, Flo Hartenstein, played for Ernie Kent at Oregon.
33:39Oh, well, he played four years as an Oregon Duck.
33:42Yeah, he played with Luke Rittenauer, Luke Jackson, Fred Jones, those guys.
33:47Said that that little push shot that is ringing home to the tune of 82% from the field,
33:52he learned it in Europe, and in the tight spaces that you have to play in European basketball,
33:57he learned how to get it off quickly with a lot of good arc on it.
34:00And he played pro ball in Germany with his dad as a teammate.
34:05And what was he saying today that he had to tell his mom that his dad was being too physical with him?
34:09Like, he was the precursor.
34:11Flo and Isaiah were the precursor to Bronny and LeBron.
34:14Hey, they walked so Bronny and Bron could run.
34:20Under six minutes to go here in the first half.
34:22I think the paychecks are a little bit better here.
34:26Jokic.
34:26And that's going to be a foul against Hartenstein.
34:29That's going to be his second personal foul.
34:36It was interesting to hear the comments of Aaron Gordon in the wake of Game 2.
34:41He was basically telling anyone willing to listen that Jokic was getting fouled a lot by the Thunder
34:48and that officials were getting the second one, not the first one.
34:52Westbrook inside to Porter Jr. in traffic, rebounded by Hartenstein.
34:56But Hartenstein's done a great job on the glass all season long.
35:00Almost 11 rebounds a game.
35:03And he's such a good passer.
35:05Gilgis Alexander over Jokic for the bucket.
35:08Five-point lead for OKC.
35:11The series tied at one game apiece.
35:14Gilgis Alexander with five of the ballgame.
35:17Westbrook inside to Brown.
35:18Tough shot rejected by Wiggins and controlled by Gilgis Alexander.
35:23Wiggins off the hit head, walks into the three.
35:27And it rims out to Jokic.
35:31I just love the way Oklahoma City defends.
35:35Westbrook inside had it roll off.
35:38One and done for the Nuggets.
35:40Even there, you just get a body on Westbrook.
35:42They're so physical.
35:43Great.
35:43Oh, what a look inside, Jay.
35:45Timeout, Denver Nuggets.
35:47Wiggins with the easy one underneath off a great look from Caruso.
35:51Oklahoma City has the best defense in the NBA.
36:00Great ball pressure.
36:02They have tremendous confidence in their health because they are always in a gap.
36:07Stunting.
36:08And they really put bodies on people.
36:10A terrific job here by Aaron Wiggins after the pass went in to Christian Brown to get that block.
36:16And then putting a body right on Russell Westbrook that helped cause that miss.
36:22And it certainly starts transition.
36:26But the paint has been a problem for Denver.
36:3028 points in the paint so far for this Oklahoma City team.
36:35And, you know, going back to Aaron Wiggins, he's got to be the most improved player on this Oklahoma City team.
36:40Like last year, he made 62 threes.
36:42This year, over 130.
36:44A reliable shooter and such a versatile defender.
36:47He scored seven of the last nine points.
36:50Gordon back in the ball game.
36:51Feeds it to the corner.
36:53Brown cashes out.
36:55Great execution out of the break by the Nuggets.
36:58They got the ball into the middle.
37:00And those are shots that Christian Brown needs to knock down.
37:06Here's Wallace against Brown.
37:07Drives it into the paint.
37:08Lobs it up for Hartenstein.
37:11Over Jokic.
37:11Got it to fall with the offhand.
37:14That's a heck of a catch because not the best pass that Kaysen Wallace can throw.
37:19But Hartenstein really went after that with both hands.
37:22Gordon posting up, but they couldn't get it to him on the block.
37:25Now out on the wing.
37:26A little brush screen for Jokic.
37:28Wiggins really fought Gordon.
37:30Got around in front.
37:31There you go.
37:31They got in the wings.
37:32Just what you were talking about, Jay.
37:35And Dort couldn't finish.
37:36Hartenstein and one.
37:39Hartenstein with the muscle and the hustle.
37:42Oklahoma City just plays harder than their opponents.
37:46And they're doing that right now.
37:48Racing down the floor.
37:49Christian Brown was right there for that rebound.
37:51But a really good job by Wallace to get this steal.
37:56But watch how Hartenstein just goes right over Christian Brown.
37:59Takes it away and then gets the foul and completes it with the left hand.
38:03They're beating Denver down the floor.
38:11That foul is going to go against Christian Brown.
38:16His first personal foul.
38:18Weren't sure how many free throws to administer here.
38:20That ball went in.
38:21And Bray Acosta and Ben Taylor having a little conversation.
38:28The bucket counted.
38:31So it's one free throw.
38:34Isaiah Hartenstein.
38:36Who has taken the itinerant route to OKC.
38:40Previous to this, he was a one-pointer member of the Nuggets.
38:43Houston Rockets as well.
38:44And of course did well for himself with the New York Knicks.
38:47Before signing here at OKC.
38:50And Hartenstein's going to keep his body on Jokic this entire possession.
38:53Good fave.
38:54Good show and go.
38:55Jokic got it to fall.
38:57That's just his second field goal, Jay.
39:01Yeah, they've done a great job of showing a lot of bodies to Jokic.
39:05That shot fake.
39:06He puts the ball up but keeps his body down.
39:09Wallace inside.
39:10Back out to tort.
39:11Got his feet set.
39:14He hasn't been able to find the mark from deep so far in this ballgame.
39:17He's 0 for 3.
39:21Here's Jamal Murray.
39:22Got off to a good start in that first quarter.
39:25Boy, look at Wiggins.
39:26He's knocked that ball away and then Dort's swarming Gordon.
39:31Wiggins is using his quickness.
39:33You know, he's around in front then gets back around behind between Aaron Gordon and the bucket.
39:40Come on.
39:40And then a terrific job by Lou Dort to go after the ball.
39:43He was in Gordon's face like acne.
39:48Constantly.
39:50And Wiggins will get a breather.
39:53Under three minutes to go in the half.
39:54The Jokic left it short.
39:57He's now two of eight.
40:00Bildus Alexander looking always to attack that heavy foot.
40:03Dropped the hit.
40:05And will go to the free throw line for a couple of shots.
40:07That's a second on Brown.
40:11We're going to take a look again at that shot fake by Nikola Jokic.
40:16He gets the ball up, but he keeps his body down.
40:18And that lifts up Isaiah Hartenstein and allows Jokic to go by.
40:23Just keeps his eyes on the rim.
40:24Never took his eyes off the rim because his peripheral vision picks up everything below it.
40:31Bildus Alexander missing the free throw on the season.
40:35Well over 80% in the playoffs at 91%.
40:41And he shoots almost nine free throws a game.
40:44So far tonight, five points.
40:49But the good news is that Holmgren has been eating.
40:53He goes 0 for 2, but they get it back.
40:56Well, Jalen Williams knocked it away from Michael Porter Jr.
40:58That's where that shoulder's a problem.
41:01His rebound.
41:01Dorff on the drive.
41:03Got back tapped by Murray for the steal.
41:11Dorff goes under the screen.
41:13And that's going to be a foul against Lew Dorff.
41:18That's going to be his first personal foul.
41:19Had a good conversation with him a little bit earlier.
41:22As one of the league's best point of attack defenders.
41:26He said that coming up, he watched a lot of video of Drew Holiday.
41:32And of Marcus Smart to kind of absorb some of their defensive techniques.
41:38And I would be shocked if he didn't make his first all-defensive team this year.
41:43Hey, Sunday afternoon at 3.30 p.m. Eastern time on ABC.
41:47We'll be back right here in Denver with game four of the Thunder and Nuggets.
41:51Coverage begins with NBA Countdown at 3 p.m.
41:54Then the game is at 3.30 on ABC and streaming live on the ESPN app
41:59as Murray knocks down the second blade down to four.
42:02You mentioned Lew Dorff watching film on Marcus Smart.
42:07It looks like the way he's built, he's watching film on Lawrence Taylor.
42:10He looks like a linebacker.
42:12He weighs in at 2.30, Dave.
42:15He could play tight end or linebacker in the NFL right now if he wanted to
42:22with that kind of frame as he slams it home.
42:25This is such a good cutting team.
42:27And right now, Denver's just given way too many easy baskets up in the paint off these cuts.
42:33They repost it to Jokic, working against Williams.
42:36Walks him down.
42:38The Aaron pass, and that's what they want to do.
42:40They turned him over.
42:41That's the 6-1 for the Nuggets.
42:44With Shea Gilgis-Alexander just backing down his defender, Christian Brown,
42:49you know, just lost Lou Dorff.
42:50He cut right to the front of the rim and got an easy one.
42:54And how many times have we said that in the first half?
42:57So many easy baskets for Oklahoma City.
43:01Nuggets in that zone.
43:03Jalen Williams let that way short.
43:06Holmgren with the putback fouled underneath.
43:08And he'll go back to the free throw line for a couple of shots.
43:12Having a brilliant first half so far with 15.
43:17That foul will be against Gordon.
43:19He did a nice job of adjusting his position from the right side of the rim to the left.
43:24But, you know, Chet Holmgren looks like he's slight of build.
43:28He's not the heftiest guy out there, but he's tough.
43:32He was tough at Gonzaga.
43:34Really competitive guy.
43:36And he's carried that forward to the NBA.
43:39Functional strength is what it's all about.
43:43Put a little bit of video review and work with his skills trainer, Drew Hanlon,
43:47adjusting that jumper in between games one and two,
43:51over-rotating a little bit with his shoulders.
43:55Doing it to the tune of 16 points now in this game.
44:00Seven-point lead for the Thunder.
44:02Murray.
44:03Dort stayed down on the fake.
44:05Tough bucket by Jamal Murray.
44:07And that was really good defense by Lou Dort,
44:10but just better offense from Jamal Murray.
44:13A stare down three is off the mark by Gilgis Alexander.
44:16As we approach a minute to go here in the first half, Gordon brings it across against Williams.
44:27Jokic pulls the three ball, and that one comes out.
44:30He's now two for nine.
44:33Holmgren in transition.
44:40Egnal makes the call.
44:41Gilgis Alexander with the ball.
44:43Draws two.
44:45Holmgren with the three.
44:47Kept alive by Jalen Williams, and it goes right to Jokic.
44:52Two for one opportunity if they choose.
44:54And that is a travel?
45:02Double dribble.
45:02Double dribble.
45:03It had to be something.
45:04Well, Jokic just said it was knocked away.
45:07Williams got a hand on it, but I don't think he ever knocked it away.
45:10It's so loud, we couldn't hear any whistle.
45:12But here's another look at that sequence.
45:14Yeah, watch Williams gets a hand on it, but he never takes it out of his hand.
45:18So that's a double dribble.
45:22Hey, man.
45:24With the outfit that he came to the arena with today, he can get away with anything.
45:28Okay.
45:29Because he rocked that outfit pretty good.
45:32So much Batman stuff going on in the NBA.
45:35You know, the Warriors got it going.
45:36And then Nikola Jokic came dressed completely as the Joker, just without makeup.
45:43Five-point lead.
45:45It's about a three-second difference between the shot and game clock.
45:50Denver showed a lot of zone defense in this first half.
45:54And now they're going to blitz.
45:56Kill just Alexander.
45:58Williams, one more.
45:59Isaiah Joe back to him.
46:01Let's it go with time.
46:02And that's going to be the end of the first half with the Thunder leading by five.
46:10Well, coming up, stay tuned for the Hyundai halftime with Malika Andrews, Stephen A.
46:15Smith and Bob Myers and Kendrick Perkins.
46:17They'll talk about game three between the Cavs and Pacers earlier tonight on ESPN.
46:23And look ahead to the games tomorrow on ABC.
46:27Rocky was rocking the building early before tip-off.
46:31And Jamal Murray got out of the gate quickly.
46:32He has 11 in the first half for the Nuggets.
46:36The NBA Conference semifinals delivered by Chipotle on ESPN are brought to you by Google, proud sponsor of the NBA, and Burger King.
46:48At BK, have it your way.
46:51You rule.
46:51Superman is taking the day off.
46:59Who do you think she's up in for Superman?
47:00Who's got it like Superman?
47:02Who could possibly match Superman's speed, strength, and ability to fly?
47:06I want to talk about five.
47:07How about Jason Taylor?
47:08Do you guys see Tatum in Clark Kent mode?
47:12Tatum is Clark Kent.
47:14Humble Midwestern.
47:15Looks great in glasses.
47:16But can he step up and be Superman?
47:18Superman.
47:21We won four.
47:31We won game one.
47:32That's 11.
47:34We're at 11.
47:35We've got 10 more.
47:38A.G. Black.
47:41Grab it, grab it.
47:42Here, yo.
47:44A.G., get low, A.G., get low.
47:45A.G., get low.
47:48I like it, Russ.
47:49I like it, Russ.
47:50Cash.
47:51Yeah, I got you.
47:54You're making the right play.
47:55Can you see the Russ?
47:58Oh, the passionate intonations of Jamal Murray.
48:00You're watching the NBA playoffs presented by Google.
48:04Back here in Denver for game three of the conference finals, conference semifinals, delivered by Chipotle.
48:12Getting ahead of myself a little bit.
48:14Let's take a look at our first half stats brought to you by Ford.
48:18Holmgren leading the way for the Thunder, having arguably his best game of the playoffs.
48:22Porter Jr. with his best game so far.
48:25The MVP candidates struggling so far with their shooting.
48:30Mark Jones, Dave Billis, George Sodano joining us in just a bit.
48:33But when you're an MVP candidate, you still contribute in other ways.
48:36Well, nine rebounds for Shea Gilgis-Alexander.
48:39And even though Denver did a very good job of making it difficult for Shea Gilgis-Alexander to score, he was a very good passer in the first half.
48:49I mean, 15 assists for this Oklahoma City team on their 23 field goals.
48:56But Alexander's willing, Gilgis-Alexander's willing to give the ball up.
48:59If something's taken away from him, he finds something else for a teammate.
49:03They move the ball very effectively.
49:05But really, that was a degree of difficulty half.
49:08When you think back to the shots that Denver was able to make, they made some really tough shots.
49:13Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray.
49:15But Oklahoma City had a lot of easy shots.
49:18It's 34 to 12 points in the paint.
49:21And Yoke, which knocks down his first field goal attempt in the third quarter to make it a three-point game.
49:28But the interesting to see if Coach Dagnall is intentional about getting SGA going.
49:34That comes off.
49:35We've got a whistle on a bounce.
49:37It'll come back to Denver.
49:40Well, even though Jalen Williams missed that, just attacking the rim.
49:45And how about this, Jonesy?
49:46Not one offensive rebound.
49:48For Denver in that first half.
49:50Unbelievable.
49:52Brown initiating the offense on the handback.
49:55Great contest, but a better shot by Brown.
49:59And in a blink, it's a one-point game.
50:01And a great mid-air adjustment by Christian Brown, who's usually so great in transition.
50:07Wonderful pocket pass, and Hardenstein dunks it home.
50:12His fifth field goal, he's into double-digit scoring now with 10.
50:16Oklahoma City plays a lot older than the ages they're listed at.
50:21And if they were to win the championship this year, that would be the youngest championship team in the NBA since the Portland Trailblazers in 77.
50:29Incredible.
50:30The longest team in the league, led by this guy, Shea Gilgis-Alexander.
50:37Alex Caruso is the old guy.
50:39They call him Ankh at 31 years old.
50:42The foul is going to go against Porter Jr.
50:46What a great adjustment here, as you pointed out.
50:49Yeah, Christian Brown, he's athletic and strong.
50:52Never took his eyes off the rim, but what an adjustment over a shot blocker.
50:57Chet Holmgren averages two and a half blocks a game.
51:02Remember, Brown had that dynamic poster dunk on Bobert last year in the playoffs.
51:08Here's Gilgis-Alexander got to the rim, weaving his way through traffic.
51:14Talk about playing at your own pace.
51:17He goes slow to fast, as well as any player in the league, and those chest-down drives, they're tough to deal with.
51:24Gordon tried to bully his way to the bucket.
51:27Brown from outside.
51:28Cash.
51:30And it's a two-point game.
51:35There's Williams.
51:36Drives out on Porter Jr.
51:41That thing did a victory lap and then fell home.
51:44Jalen Williams with the bucket.
51:46That's his fifth field goal.
51:48He just shows great strength and his playmaking ability.
51:52Watching him at Santa Clara, his three years there playing for Herb Sendak,
51:56just showed so much as a passer playmaker.
51:58Murray with the three.
51:59He's moving as well as he has all season.
52:05He told me it's because he's not lifting as much as he usually does at this time of the year.
52:10He's a little bit lighter, but very fluid.
52:12Holmgren got his own miss almost toward the first one to the loose ball.
52:16Big difference in this game for the three-point line.
52:21There's the lob, but it's broken up nicely by the Nuggets.
52:25And a chance for them to take the lead here.
52:26Gordon.
52:29Jokic against Holmgren.
52:31Double team that he got peeled clean.
52:34Williams in transition.
52:35Oh, he caught a body.
52:38Jalen Williams over Gordon.
52:40And a terrific job by Williams in transition to jump right in the path of Gordon
52:45and take away his ability to get up and really challenge that shot at the rim.
52:50Murray couldn't get to the answer.
52:54Boy, what a frenetic pace to this ball game.
52:58And Oklahoma City's only four of 18 from three,
53:00but they're getting everything they want in the paint.
53:03Here's Hartenstein.
53:04Nice cut by Dort.
53:06And he's fouled after he elevated.
53:09Couldn't get the landing gear down in time and slow to get up.
53:14He'll get two shots at the free throw line,
53:16and Porter Jr. wants a challenge here.
53:19Well, after Oklahoma City able to take this ball away,
53:23watch how he just gets into the path,
53:25gets a little bump to Aaron Gordon,
53:26so Gordon can't get up and really challenge that.
53:29He got to do it from behind.
53:30And that gave the clear path to Jalen Williams to the rim.
53:35And the Nuggets are going to call a timeout and challenge the call on the floor.
53:41Porter Jr. successfully lobbying the coaching staff for the Nuggets.
53:45This was ruled a foul.
53:51We'll get the adjudication of the call on the other side of the spring.
53:54The NBA Conference Semifinals on ESPN are delivered by Chipotle.
53:59Real ingredients, real flavor.
54:01Chipotle for real.
54:02The conference semifinals on ESPN is delivered by Chipotle here in Denver.
54:07And it was an unsuccessful challenge by Denver on that foul call on Michael Porter Jr.
54:15He caught Lou Dort on the arm.
54:18So it'll be two shots for Lou Dort.
54:21And they also mentioned that he caught him with his bottom.
54:28And they also mentioned that he caught him with his bottom.