Nikola Jokic Triple-Double Keeps Nuggets Alive in Playoffs; Thunder Complete Sweep

Nikola Jokic scored a triple-double to keep the Denver Nuggets' play-off hopes alive with a 125-113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Serbia's Jokic, 31, was the joint top scorer with 27 points but also chipped in with 12 rebounds and 16 assists. The Nuggets trailed 3-1 as they welcomed Minnesota to Ball Arena, Colorado, and defeat would have seen them eliminated. Jamal Murray scored a game-high 24 points to help Denver get back on track after three successive defeats. "We had to play like we was down 3-1," Murray said. "I think we did a good job of bringing energy into the game and playing for 48 minutes, not letting up off the gas. That was a great team win." Game six of the best-of-seven series takes place on Thursday in Minneapolis. Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham scored a game-high 25 points as his Detroit Pistons lost 94-88 against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center, Florida. Top seeds Detroit trail 3-1 in the series and are on the brink of elimination from the play-offs. The Magic, who finished eighth in the Eastern Conference, have not reached the second round of the play-offs since 2010 - losing six times in the first round and failing to qualify for the post-season on nine occasions. Western Conference top seeds Oklahoma City Thunder booked their place in the second round courtesy of a 131-122 win against the Phoenix Suns. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points to seal Thunder's 4-0 series shutout at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. "We just came in ready," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "We do it for each other. None of us are selfish. We all want the next man to succeed and when you have those three things and put them together you get success." Oklahoma will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets in the second round, with the Lakers leading that series 3-1.