NBA playoffs on May 5: Raptors, Nuggets tie their series 2-2

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The Toronto Raptors claimed a tough, valuable victory by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 101-96 at the Wells Fargo Center, tying the series 2-2. The Denver Nuggets bounced back after losing the 4-overtime game and took down the Portland Trail Blazers 116-112 at the Moda Center. Both series will go to significant Game 5 on May 7.

Raptors vs. 76ers, Toronto risk a lot with their new trick

Kyle Lowry #7 and Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors in the game they win against the Philadelphia 76ers 101-96 at the Wells Fargo Center, May 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

What did Toronto do right to win Game 4? For starters, it's not about Kawhi Leonard who again dropped 39 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in 42 minutes like a terminator. Marc Gasol became more aggressive in offense to take 13 shots and get 16 points, which was rare considering that he never reached double-digits in either shooting or scoring in the last three games. Kyle Lowry found part of his shooting back to bury two three-pointers but that;s not something adjustable, not did it matter much.

One of the big moves coach Nick Nurse did was to heavily reduce Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell's playing time and gave it to Serge Ibaka who played 32 minutes even from the bench. Thanks to such rotation, the Raptors managed to keep two big men on the court together in most time of the game to better protect the rebound and contain Joel Embiid.

Joel Embiid #21 and Jimmy Bulter #23 of the 76ers in the game against the Raptors, May 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Embiid had another difficult game as he only made two of seven shots to get 11 points and eight rebounds. Gasol staying on the court long enough was one reason, the other was that, according to coach Brett Brown, Embiid was dealing with virus infection. Having lost their best big man in offense while Tobias Harris again struggled with his shooting, the 76ers could only rely on Jimmy Butler. Though Butler scored 29 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, that's not enough to bring victory to the team.

However, this does not mean that Philadelphia are at a disadvantage. On the contrary, it was Toronto who lost their pace. Take a look at how long the team's major players' time on the court: Leonard (42 minutes), Gasol (39 minutes), Lowry (41 minutes), Danny Green (40 minutes), Pascal Siakam (29 minutes), and Ibaka (32 minutes).

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Raptors drives towards the rim in the game agaisnt the 76ers, May 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

It must be pointed out that Gasol and Lowry are 34 and 33 years old respectively and both have a history of injuries. 29 minutes though did seem much for Siakam as he is still suffering from right calf contusion, which apparently affected his performance in Sunday's game. And then there is Leonard who has been unstoppable in the playoffs so far but it can neither be sustainable nor enough for the Raptors to make their way to the Conference Finals or the NBA Finals.

Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers, a good orchestrator always helps

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball in the game they win against the Portland Trail Blazers 116-112 at the Moda Center, May 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

It's clear from the beginning how exhausted players of both sides were after the 4OT Game 3. Both Denver and Portland were slow in switch and help defense. Neither of them had enough strength or interest to work inside the paint and thus they shot a lot in the middle range and from the 3-pt line. Meanwhile, the teams did well in offensive rebounding in the first quarter, only because the defense lacked the extra energy to protect their rebounds.

Seth Curry stood out for the Trail Blazers first in the second quarter. He made five of seven shots, including four three-pointers to get 14 points in this quarter alone. However, as Denver's Jamal Murray stayed hot in the first half to put down 17 points, Portland only led by six points (63-57) into the second half.

The Trail Blazers grew cold in offense in the third quarter, including Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. As they kept missing shots, the Nuggets launched two scoring runs and regained lead (84-77) before the last quarter.

Damian Lillard #0 and C.J. McCollum #3 of the Trail Blazers in the game against the Nuggets, May 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though Lillard and McCollum finally found their shooting back in Q4 to claim 15 and 11 points respectively, Denver responded with Nikola Jokic who delivered four straight assists in the last three minutes to help his teammates claim 10 points, making sure that Denver stand up to Portland's last counterstrike before pocketing the win.

Thanks to his remarkable orchestrating work at the end of the game, Jokic had his fourth triple-double-21 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists-in the playoffs, catching up with Charles Barkley, Elgin Baylor, Tim Duncan, Walt Frazier and Scottie Pippen. The only center who got more triple-doubles than Jokic was Wilt Chamberlain (nine times). Again, Let's remember, Jokic is only 24 four years old and this is his first playoffs.