Nuggets and Thunder have winner-take-all NBA showdown in game 7 | Football messages

Julian Strawther delivers the spark from the bank and even loses a tooth while Nuggets Game 7 force against thunder.

Now this was finally a role in which Julian Strawher could bring in his teeth, even if it cost it.

The Denver Nuggets Guard played a spark of the bank for the first time in the series when he scored all 15 of his points in the second half on Thursday evening. His big game contributed to driving Denver for an 119-107 victory over the thunder and forcing a game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday.

“This is the moment you dream when you are a small child-let you go to the game, let all the boys believe in you, find them in your places and can only affect the game,” said Strawther, a player in the second year from Gonzaga.

Strawther certainly had everything on the floor, including a tooth (a prosthesis), which accidentally took out in the fourth quarter when he contacted a player in Oklahoma City. He tried to get the officials to play long enough to collect it. But the action already went in the other direction.

A ball boy shoveled it in a towel for him and returned it to the bench. When Strawther spoke to the media after the game, he had it back in place.

After losing a baby tooth as a child, he explained that the adult version, which is on the right side next to his front tooth – has never grown in.

“We got it back,” said Strawther.

Just like that, the nuggets go back to OKC. It was her only mission after giving away a lead in game 5 in the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets bank had a great influence behind the game of Strawther, Russell Westbrook (eight points) and Peyton Watson (four).

Sure, you exceeded the reserves of the thunder at 32-27. Before Thursday, however, the average production of the bank was 34-22 to five games in favor of thunder.

“(Julian) was incredible,” said Nikola Jokic, who had 29 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. “He had the big points, the big moments of the game.”

Strawther finished 3 out of 4 from the 3-point range and 4 out of 4 from the line. Above all, he helped the Nuggets in the fourth quarter to maintain their dynamics when Jokic sat on the bench to get a valuable break. Strawther played 19 1/2 minutes, his playoff.

This after the limitation of 14 minutes in the last three games, including a “DNP” – not played – in game 3. Interim coach David Adelman told him that he should remain ready.

He listened.

“Understand that there is a night in which I can't check in at all,” said Strawther. “And there is a night like this evening when he will ride with me.

“I and (Adelman) had a transparent relationship with these playoffs, and I am very grateful for throwing me out of it tonight.”

Depending on the status of Aaron Gordon, who injured his left armpit skin late in the game, his role can increase even more.

“I feel okay. We'll see,” said Gordon after the game. “I will now start the recovery process to ensure that I am ready for a game 7.”

Another player who found a groove was Michael Porter Jr., who was 4 out of 9 for 10 points. He is dealing with a bricked left shoulder.

“For me, with what I got through, there are so many additional things that I just have to be on,” said Porter, who said he had a lidocaine injection in his shoulder and plans to keep another until Sunday. “Since I hurt my shoulder, I can't be up to date as I want it.

“But I'm still out there and still try to place the floor and shoot it when I get it, whether it goes in or out. I just have to stay confident.”