NBA play-offs:

Champions Denver Nuggets shorten the gap against Minnesota

MVP Nikola Jokic (r.) can still dream of the title.(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/David Berding)

Champions Denver Nuggets have celebrated an away win in the second play-off round of the North American professional basketball league NBA and closed the gap to 1:2 in the "best of seven" series. 

After two home defeats, the team led by MVP Nikola Jokic celebrated a clear 117:90 victory at the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks missed out on a 3:0 lead in the series against the Indiana Pacers. Despite leading by nine points with ten minutes to go, they lost 106:111.

The Nuggets already led by 20 points at the end of the second quarter. They also hit almost 50 percent of their attempts from the three-point line. Jokic narrowly missed out on a triple double with 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Anthony Edwards, who has been so outstanding for the Timberwolves so far, was his team's best scorer with 19 points.

Strong Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton was instrumental in the Pacers' comeback against the Knicks, scoring 35 points to set his second personal play-off points record in a row. Andrew Nembhard provided the game-winning shot: The Canadian hit a three-point attempt from just under 9.5 m to make it 109:106 with 16 seconds remaining. Donte DiVicenzo impressed for the Knicks with 35 points.

NBA play-off results from Friday (2nd round/conference semifinals, "best of seven"):

Eastern Conference: 
Indiana Pacers - New York Knicks 111:106 (score in the series 1:2)

Western Conference: 
Minnesota Timberwolves - Denver Nuggets 90-117 (tied 2-1)