The Denver Nuggets had to crush the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5, but it was worth it as they won 112–109 to win the series and advance to the next round.

The Nuggets will now be waiting for the winner of the #1. 4 tournament, the Phoenix Suns and the No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers series in which the Suns lose 3-1.

The Timberwolves’ desperation was great and it showed throughout the game as they weren’t about to walk away without a fight. The game was tied at 102 with 1:46 left in the fourth quarter, with neither team able to break away.

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That was until Nikola Jokic landed back-to-back shots to make the game 109-104. The first was a valiant effort when he bounced the ball back twice on the original float he missed to give the nuggets a slight advantage. He then landed a patented four-foot hook after missing Anthony Edwards at the other end.

It was also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after Carl-Anthony Towns fouled on the sidelines and Jokic hit him to give the Nuggets a five-point margin. Towns left the game with 26 points on 9 of 17 from the field, 11 rebounds and three assists.

It was a lead they would not give up and they would continue on their way to the final.

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However, the Timberwolves didn’t lay down with less than 30 seconds left. Mike Conley dug in a 28-foot three to pull back two points. Edwards did the same, dropping seven feet after Bruce Brown (14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) returned the Nuggets to a four-point lead.

They even had a chance to level the score and send him into overtime with 2.5 seconds left on three points. But Edwards’ shot missed, and the Nuggets began to celebrate.

Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves took on Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during NBA Playoffs 5th Round 1st Round game at Ball Arena on April 25, 2023 in Denver. state of Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Jokic ended the game with 28 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists for an impressive triple-double. He also had two interceptions and two defensive blocks.

Jamal Murray also lost 35 points to lead the Nuggets, including 5-of-9 3-pointers and a perfect 6-of-6 from a charity streak.

In Minnesota, Edwards finished with 29 points on 13-of-26 from the field, although he missed all six of his three-point attempts. He also totaled eight rebounds and seven assists with two blocks on the other end.

Rudy Gobert also fouled for the Wolves, scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds for a double-double.

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to the Nuggets taking the lead along with teammates Nikola Jokic (15) and Aaron Gordon (50) during the second quarterback against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 . (Aaron Ontiverose/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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While the Nuggets go further, the Timberwolves will be back to the drawing board to see how they can move further into the playoffs next season.

GironaTati Castellanos became the first player to score four goals in a La Liga game against real Madrid This century, they scored a stunning 4-2 victory over the team of Carlo Ancelotti, whose wan title hopes suffered another blow on Tuesday.

With seven games, Real Madrid are now 11 behind Barcelona, ​​who will face 10th-placed Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

Girona stunned Real Madrid with their first goal in the 12th minute of the match, when an unmarked close-range header from Castellanos from a Miguel Gutiérrez cross.

Girona doubled their lead 12 minutes later, when Castellanos caught a long pass, pushed his way into the box and shot below Real Madrid goalkeeper Andrey Lunin.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior closed the gap in the 34th minute when he missed the far post and headed Marco Asensio.

Castellanos scored his third goal 36 seconds into the second half, with a right-footed strike after Real Madrid’s defense had given him space in the box.

The 24-year-old was once again alone in the box and headed his fourth goal of the evening and his 11th in La Liga this season in the 62nd minute before being substituted 10 minutes later.

Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez scored a consolation goal from close range in the 85th minute.

Osasuna remain eighth after Ruben Garcia gave them a 1-0 victory in wrestling Cadizand the guests managed to score all three points, despite the late removal of substitute Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

Real Betis failed to catch up in fourth place Real Sociedad and remain six points behind in the Champions League after a goalless draw between the teams.