Nuggets, Pacers draw level vs T-Wolves, Knicks

LOS ANGELES – The defending champion Denver Nuggets outgunned the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-107 to level their NBA playoff series on Sunday as the Indiana Pacers pulled even with the New York Knicks.

The Nuggets, fueled by 35 points from NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon’s 27 points on ruthlessly efficient 11-of-12 shooting and 19 points from Jamal Murray, claimed a second straight win in Minneapolis to knot their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series at two games apiece.

The Pacers dismantled the Knicks 121-89 in Indianapolis to level their Eastern Conference semifinal at 2-2.

“Now it’s best of three,” Jokic said, adding that the Timberwolves’ stunning victories in Games 1 and 2 in Denver had only strengthened the defending champions.

“We took a hit and we bounced back and hopefully we can defend the home court now,” said Jokic, looking forward to Game 5 in Denver on Tuesday.