Now, Julian Strawther can finally get his teeth in trouble, even if he spends his teeth.
The Denver Nuggets defender played a meaningful extension for the first time in the series as he scored all 15 points in the second half Thursday night, giving sparks from the bench. His big game allowed Denver to beat the Thunder 119-107 in Oklahoma City and forced seven games.
“That’s the moment you dream about – take part in the game and make everyone believe in you, find yourself in your own attractions and be able to make an impact on the game,” said Gonzaga sophomore Strawther.
Strawther certainly put everything on the floor, including teeth (prosthetics) that happened to appear when they came into contact with Oklahoma City players in the fourth quarter. He tried to get the officers to stop the game long enough to collect it. However, the action is already ahead on the other hand.
A ball boy scalded it with a towel and returned it to the bench. By the end of the game, Strawther returned it to its original state as he spoke to the media.
He explained that after he lost the orange as a kid, the adult version (located to the right next to the front teeth) never grew.
“We took it back,” Strauser said.
In this way, the Nuggets will return to OKC. This is the only task they took the lead in the fourth quarter and lost in Game 5.
The Nuggets' bench made a big impact in the games of Strawther, Russell Westbrook (8 points) and Peyton Watson (four).
Of course, the Thunder's reserves beat them 32-27. However, the average production on the bench was 34-22, winning five games before Thursday.
“(Julian) is great,” said Nikola Jokic, who scored 29 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. “He has a big point of view and is a big moment in the game.”
Strawther completed 3 of 4 in the 3-point range, 4 of 4 of 4. Most importantly, he helped the Nuggets maintain momentum in the fourth quarter as Jokic sat on the bench for some valuable rest. Strawther played 19 1/2 minutes and his playoffs were high.
In the last three games, this number has been limited to 14 minutes later, including "DNP" (no play). In Game 3.
He listened.
"I learned that there was one night I might not check at all," Strauser explained. "There was another night like tonight where he was going to ride with me.
“I have a transparent relationship with[Aderman]through these playoffs and I’m really grateful for throwing me there tonight.”
According to Aaron Gordon's status, his role could be even bigger, who hurt his left hamstring late in the game.
"I feel fine. We'll see," Gordon said after the game. “I’m going to start the recovery process now to make sure I’m ready for the game 7.”
Another player who found the groove was hit by forward Michael Porter Jr., who scored 10 points in four out of 9. He has been dealing with a sprain in his left shoulder.
“For me, I went through a lot of extra things, I had to master a lot of things,” Porter explained. “Because I was injured in my shoulder, I couldn’t feel uncomfortable and confident in my shots like I wanted to feel myself in these playoffs.
"But I'm still there, still trying to walk and shoot when I get the floor, no matter it comes in and out. I just have to stay confident."