Nuggets, Pacers victorious in Game 3

Nikola Jokic recorded 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Denver Nuggets dominated in a 117-90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals series on Friday in Minneapolis.

Jamal Murray finished with 24 points on 11for-21 shooting for Denver, which cut its deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-7 series. Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 points, Aaron Gordon chipped in 13 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 12.

Anthony Edwards finished with 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting to lead Minnesota, which sustained its first postseason loss after winning its first six playoff games. Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 points, and Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels put up 10 apiece.

The teams will remain in Minneapolis, where the defending champion Nuggets have a chance to pull even in the series in Game 4 on Sunday evening.

Elsewhere: Andrew A

Nembhard made a tiebreaking three-pointer with 17.8 seconds remaining to fuel the Indiana Pacers to a 111-106 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of an Eastern Conference

semifinal series in Indianapolis.

The Knicks still lead the best-of-7 series 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis.

New York’s Jalen Brunson sank a three-pointer to forge a 106-106 tie before Nembhard drained a stepback 3-pointer from well behind the arc as the shot clock wound down. Nembhard was 1-for-7 from the floor prior to that basket.

Earlier Friday, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was fined $35,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing the officiating and questioning the integrity of the league following Game 2.