Thunder take command, semifinals lead against Nuggets 112-105

PHOTO\u26a1THUNDEROKC 112 DEN 105

(Thunder lead series 3-2)

In an inverse of Game 1, the Thunder outplayed the Nuggets in a high pressure, high stakes closing stretch of Game 4 to take command of the series. Once more, Nikola Jokic went for 40+ and helped Denver dominate the boards, but OKC held his supporting cast in check. Despite some early struggles cracking Denver's defensive schemes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned to form over the course of the game, scoring a familiar 31 points and nailing a dagger with familiar confidence to put the Nuggets to bed.

Jokic went 5-7 from three, while his teammates went 8-39. Bad Russ, Bad MPJ, and Bad Braun looked like shaky role players on the road,…