×
BAN vs PAK, 1st ODI Highlights: Bangladesh thrashes Pakistan by eight wickets

BAN vs PAK, 1st ODI Highlights: Bangladesh thrashes Pakistan by eight wickets

TOSS

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl against Pakistan.’

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana

Welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage and ball-by-ball commentary of the 1st ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan, being played at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

Bangladesh and Pakistan will face off in a three-match One-Day International series, starting at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

Having won its last two ODI series, against South Africa and Sri Lanka at home, Pakistan will fancy its chances against Bangladesh, which beat West Indies 2-1 in its last 50-over assignment.

BAN vs PAK 1st ODI, Match Details

When will the first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan take place?

The first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan will be held on Wednesday, March 11.

Where will the first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan be played?

The first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan will take place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

At what time will the first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan start?

The first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan will begin at 1:45 PM IST.

At what time will the toss take place for the first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan?

The toss for the first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan will take place at 1:15 PM IST.

Where to watch the live telecast of the first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan in India?

The first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan will not be televised live on any TV channel in India.

Where to watch the live stream of the first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan in India?

The first ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website in India.

THE SQUADS

Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Mahidul Islam Ankon, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Saif Hassan, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faisal Akram, Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Shamyl Hussain.

Published on Mar 11, 2026

Source link
#BAN #PAK #1st #ODI #Highlights #Bangladesh #thrashes #Pakistan #wickets

Complete squad lists for each team:

Men’s Squads

Chennai Bulls:

Internationals – Joseva Talacolo (FIJ, Retained), Filipe Sauturaga (FIJ, Retained), Santiago Alvarez (ARG), Sunni Jardine (GBR), Tobias Sanz-Trapaga (ESP), Ethan Turner (CAN), Taualai Panoa (SAM), Tusitafu Toilolo (SAM), Hidayat Jerffrydin (SGP)

Indians – Mohit Khatri (HAR, 3.5L), Jugal Kishore Majhi (ODI, 1.25L), Karan Rajbhar (WB, 1.25L), Pranav Patil (MAH, 50k), Harpreet Singh Kamboj (PUN, 50k)

Bengaluru Bravehearts:

Internationals – Akuila Rokolisoa (NZL, Retained), Philip Wokorach (UGA, Retained), Henry Hutchison (AUS), Ngarohi McGarvey Black (NZL), Shilton Van Wyk (RSA), Ryan Apps (GBR), Denis Etwau (UGA), Motu Opetai (SAM), Michael Coverdale (HKG)

Indians – Rajdeep Saha (WB, 1.25L), Devendra Raju Padir (MAH, 1.5L), Ganesh Dhangada Majhi (ODI, 90k), Akash Balmiki (WB, 50k), Arpan Chetri (WB, 1.25L)

Delhi Redz:

Internationals – Patrick Odongo Okongo (KEN, Retained), Luciano Gonzalez (ARG), Pol Pla (ESP), Josep Serres (ESP), Nygel Pettersen Amaitsa (KEN), Elias Hancock (CAN), Samuel Mosirori Asati (KEN), Jon Okoth Okeyo (KEN), Lennox Wiese (GER)

Indians – Vinay A (KAR, 50k), Javed Hussein (DEL, 2L), Hitesh Dagar (HAR, 1.25L), Deepak Kumar Punia (HAR, 2.75L), Shridhar Shrikant Nigade (MAH, 1L)

Hyderabad Heroes:

Internationals – Manuel Moreno Asensi (ESP, Retained), Kevin Wekesa (KEN, Retained), Maurice Longbottom (AUS), Regan Ware (NZL), Francisco Cosculluela (ESP), Diego Ardao (URU), Dante Sotonida (URU), Ravuama Seruvakula (SAM), Wolfram Hacker (GER)

Indians – Shivam Shukla (DEL, 1.25L), Sumit Kumar Roy (WB, 3.75L), Muhammed Anes K (KER, 70k), Sambit Pradhan (ODI, 1L), Rajan Rawat (RAJ, 50k)

Mumbai Dreamers:

Internationals – Ben Lasiel (PNG, Retained), James Turner (AUS), Santino Zangara (ARG), Lucas Mignot (FRA), Tristan Leyds (RSA), Guillaume Bouche (FRA), Nabo Sakoyi (RSA), Liam Poulton (CAN), Demetri Patterson (CAN)

Indians – Sukumar Hembrom (WB, 1.25L), Prince Khatri (HAR, 2L), Asis Sabar (ODI, 50k), Vikas Khatri (HAR, 50k), Neeraj Khatri (HAR, Retained)

Kolkata Banga Tigers:

Internationals – Vuiviwa Naduvalo (FIJ), Thibaud Mazzoleni (FRA), Brady Rush (NZL), Ricardo Duartee (RSA), Lucas Lacamp (USA), Aaron Cummings (USA), Adrian Kasito (UGA), Niue Owen (SAM), Shotaro Tsuoka (JPN)

Indians – Ajay Deswal (HAR, 1.5L), Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh (MAH, 2.75L), Shanawaz Ahmed (ODI, 1.25L), Deshraj Rathore (RAJ, 90k), Sanjay Kisan (ODI, 50k)

Women’s Squads
Chennai Bulls:

Internationals – Ana Maria Naimasi (FIJ), Chantelle Miell (GBR), Carmen Izyk (CAN), Lara Wright (CAN), Liske Lategan (RSA), Sheilla Chajira (KEN)

Indians – Tarulata Naik (ODI, 80k), Sandhyarani Tudu (ODI, 1.4L), Amandeep Kaur (PUN, 1.6L), Sandhya Rai (WB, 1.2L), Sapna Kumari (Bihar, 50k), Muskan Piploda (RAJ, 50k)

Delhi Redz:

Internationals – Camilla Carvalho (BRA), Isadora Lopes (BRA), Reapi Ulunisau (FIJ), Silika Qalo (FIJ), Eden Kilgour (CAN), Zintle Mpupha (RSA)

Indians – Guriya Kumari (Bihar, 1.1L), Shikha Yadav (DEL, 2.4L), Vaishnavi Patel (MAH, 90k), Dumuni Marndi (ODI, 60k), Rima Oraon (WB, 50k), Saloni Kumari (Bihar, 50k)

Mumbai Dreamers:

Internationals – Yasmim Soares (BRA), Abigail Brown (GBR), Grace Okulu (KEN), Marienela Escalante (ARG), Carmen Miranda Miralles (ESP), Abril Camacho Ruiz (ESP)

Indians – Arti Kumari (Bihar, 1.6L), Mama Naik (ODI, 50k), Hupi Majhi (ODI, 50k), Bhumika Shukla (RAJ, 2.2L), Lachmi Oraon (WB, 50k), Sunita Hansdah (ODI, 50k)

Kolkata Banga Tigers:

Internationals – Nia Toliver (USA), Shiniqwa Lamprecht (RSA), Vianca Boer (RSA), Ronja Hinterding (GER), Sarah Gossman (GER), Sofia Gonzalez (ARG)

Indians – Gomti Thakur (DEL, 50k), Ujjwala Ghuge (MAH, 1L), Kalyani Patil (MAH, 90k), Nirmalya Rout (ODI, 1.6L), Kyra Bianca Vincent (MAH, 60k), Parbati Hansdah (ODI, 70k)

#Rugby #Premier #League #Season #squads #finalised #womens #league #set #historic #debut">Rugby Premier League Season 2 squads finalised; women’s league set for historic debut  Building on the momentum of a successful inaugural season in 2025, GMR Sports, along with Rugby India, concluded the Season 2 Player Auction and Draft for the Rugby Premier League in Hyderabad on Thursday.In a landmark moment for Indian rugby, the women’s franchises also took part in the Auction and Draft, with Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, Kolkata Banga Tigers and Delhi Redz building their inaugural squads.Both the men’s and women’s competitions will be held at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad from June 16 to 28, 2026.The Auction and Draft marked a significant step forward for the league, with six men’s and four women’s franchises building balanced squads featuring a mix of experienced internationals and emerging Indian talent.The men’s franchises, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kolkata Banga Tigers, Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers and Bengaluru Bravehearts, made their picks, with West Bengal’s Sumit Kumar Roy emerging as the highest-paid Indian player at Rs 3.75 lakh for Hyderabad Heroes.Mohit Khatri was picked up for Rs 3.5 lakh by Chennai Bulls, while Deepak Kumar Punia and Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh were signed for Rs 2.75 lakh by Delhi Redz and Kolkata Banga Tigers, respectively.The Women’s Auction and Draft saw Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, Kolkata Banga Tigers and Delhi Redz build their first squads, further expanding the competitive landscape of the Rugby Premier League.Delhi’s Shikha Yadav led the Indian signings as the highest-paid player at Rs 2.4 lakh for Delhi Redz, followed by Bhumika Shukla, who was signed for Rs 2.2 lakh by Mumbai Dreamers. Nirmalya Rout and Amandeep Kaur were secured for Rs 1.6 lakh by Kolkata Banga Tigers and Chennai Bulls, respectively.“The introduction of the women’s league is a landmark moment for the HSBC Rugby Premier League. Today’s draft reflects a strong commitment from franchises and GMR Sports to invest in and build competitive women’s teams, which is critical to driving long-term growth and creating meaningful pathways for athletes in Indian rugby,” said Sujoy Ganguly, CMO, GMR Sports.
Complete squad lists for each team:
Men’s SquadsChennai Bulls:
Internationals – Joseva Talacolo (FIJ, Retained), Filipe Sauturaga (FIJ, Retained), Santiago Alvarez (ARG), Sunni Jardine (GBR), Tobias Sanz-Trapaga (ESP), Ethan Turner (CAN), Taualai Panoa (SAM), Tusitafu Toilolo (SAM), Hidayat Jerffrydin (SGP)

Indians – Mohit Khatri (HAR, 3.5L), Jugal Kishore Majhi (ODI, 1.25L), Karan Rajbhar (WB, 1.25L), Pranav Patil (MAH, 50k), Harpreet Singh Kamboj (PUN, 50k)
Bengaluru Bravehearts:
Internationals – Akuila Rokolisoa (NZL, Retained), Philip Wokorach (UGA, Retained), Henry Hutchison (AUS), Ngarohi McGarvey Black (NZL), Shilton Van Wyk (RSA), Ryan Apps (GBR), Denis Etwau (UGA), Motu Opetai (SAM), Michael Coverdale (HKG)

Indians – Rajdeep Saha (WB, 1.25L), Devendra Raju Padir (MAH, 1.5L), Ganesh Dhangada Majhi (ODI, 90k), Akash Balmiki (WB, 50k), Arpan Chetri (WB, 1.25L)
Delhi Redz:
Internationals – Patrick Odongo Okongo (KEN, Retained), Luciano Gonzalez (ARG), Pol Pla (ESP), Josep Serres (ESP), Nygel Pettersen Amaitsa (KEN), Elias Hancock (CAN), Samuel Mosirori Asati (KEN), Jon Okoth Okeyo (KEN), Lennox Wiese (GER)

Indians – Vinay A (KAR, 50k), Javed Hussein (DEL, 2L), Hitesh Dagar (HAR, 1.25L), Deepak Kumar Punia (HAR, 2.75L), Shridhar Shrikant Nigade (MAH, 1L)
Hyderabad Heroes:
Internationals – Manuel Moreno Asensi (ESP, Retained), Kevin Wekesa (KEN, Retained), Maurice Longbottom (AUS), Regan Ware (NZL), Francisco Cosculluela (ESP), Diego Ardao (URU), Dante Sotonida (URU), Ravuama Seruvakula (SAM), Wolfram Hacker (GER)

Indians – Shivam Shukla (DEL, 1.25L), Sumit Kumar Roy (WB, 3.75L), Muhammed Anes K (KER, 70k), Sambit Pradhan (ODI, 1L), Rajan Rawat (RAJ, 50k)
Mumbai Dreamers:
Internationals – Ben Lasiel (PNG, Retained), James Turner (AUS), Santino Zangara (ARG), Lucas Mignot (FRA), Tristan Leyds (RSA), Guillaume Bouche (FRA), Nabo Sakoyi (RSA), Liam Poulton (CAN), Demetri Patterson (CAN)

Indians – Sukumar Hembrom (WB, 1.25L), Prince Khatri (HAR, 2L), Asis Sabar (ODI, 50k), Vikas Khatri (HAR, 50k), Neeraj Khatri (HAR, Retained)
Kolkata Banga Tigers:
Internationals – Vuiviwa Naduvalo (FIJ), Thibaud Mazzoleni (FRA), Brady Rush (NZL), Ricardo Duartee (RSA), Lucas Lacamp (USA), Aaron Cummings (USA), Adrian Kasito (UGA), Niue Owen (SAM), Shotaro Tsuoka (JPN)

Indians – Ajay Deswal (HAR, 1.5L), Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh (MAH, 2.75L), Shanawaz Ahmed (ODI, 1.25L), Deshraj Rathore (RAJ, 90k), Sanjay Kisan (ODI, 50k)

Women’s Squads
Chennai Bulls:
Internationals – Ana Maria Naimasi (FIJ), Chantelle Miell (GBR), Carmen Izyk (CAN), Lara Wright (CAN), Liske Lategan (RSA), Sheilla Chajira (KEN)

Indians – Tarulata Naik (ODI, 80k), Sandhyarani Tudu (ODI, 1.4L), Amandeep Kaur (PUN, 1.6L), Sandhya Rai (WB, 1.2L), Sapna Kumari (Bihar, 50k), Muskan Piploda (RAJ, 50k)
Delhi Redz:
Internationals – Camilla Carvalho (BRA), Isadora Lopes (BRA), Reapi Ulunisau (FIJ), Silika Qalo (FIJ), Eden Kilgour (CAN), Zintle Mpupha (RSA)

Indians – Guriya Kumari (Bihar, 1.1L), Shikha Yadav (DEL, 2.4L), Vaishnavi Patel (MAH, 90k), Dumuni Marndi (ODI, 60k), Rima Oraon (WB, 50k), Saloni Kumari (Bihar, 50k)
Mumbai Dreamers:
Internationals – Yasmim Soares (BRA), Abigail Brown (GBR), Grace Okulu (KEN), Marienela Escalante (ARG), Carmen Miranda Miralles (ESP), Abril Camacho Ruiz (ESP)

Indians – Arti Kumari (Bihar, 1.6L), Mama Naik (ODI, 50k), Hupi Majhi (ODI, 50k), Bhumika Shukla (RAJ, 2.2L), Lachmi Oraon (WB, 50k), Sunita Hansdah (ODI, 50k)
Kolkata Banga Tigers:
Internationals – Nia Toliver (USA), Shiniqwa Lamprecht (RSA), Vianca Boer (RSA), Ronja Hinterding (GER), Sarah Gossman (GER), Sofia Gonzalez (ARG)

Indians – Gomti Thakur (DEL, 50k), Ujjwala Ghuge (MAH, 1L), Kalyani Patil (MAH, 90k), Nirmalya Rout (ODI, 1.6L), Kyra Bianca Vincent (MAH, 60k), Parbati Hansdah (ODI, 70k)
  #Rugby #Premier #League #Season #squads #finalised #womens #league #set #historic #debut

Deadspin | Undermanned Wolves try to eliminate balanced Nuggets in Game 6   Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) goes to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images   Faced with key injuries, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try to close out their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday in Minneapolis.   Minnesota successfully managed Game 4 despite losing star Anthony Edwards and his starting backcourt mate, Donte DiVincenzo, early. But with Edwards sidelined due to a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee and DiVincenzo gone with a torn right Achilles tendon, the Timberwolves dropped a close-out opportunity on Monday in Denver, 125-113.   Edwards and DiVincenzo were both catalysts as Minnesota gained the early advantage in the series, with Edwards going for 30 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2. DiVincenzo scored a total of 31 points in Games 2 and 3, both Timberwolves victories.   With the two perimeter playmakers out Monday, Minnesota committed 25 turnovers — two more than the Timberwolves lost in their previous two games combined, and a team-high dating back to before the All-Star break.   “A lot of silly, forced play by guys trying to make something out of nothing,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of the Game 5 turnover woes.   Finch also pointed to Denver’s defensive adjustments, noting that the Nuggets “put two (defenders)” on Ayo Dosunmu for the first time in the series.   Dosunmu, a late-season acquisition via trade from Chicago, emerged as the hero in Game 4 after Edwards and DiVincenzo exited. He scored 43 points, bookended by performances of 25 and 18 points, respectively, in Games 3 and 5.   Aside from Julius Randle’s 27 points, however, no other Minnesota player managed more than 13 in Monday’s loss.   Denver, meanwhile, got 18-plus points from four of its five starters in the elimination contest. Among the quartet was forward Spencer Jones, who has seen a significant uptick in minutes with Aaron Gordon dealing with a calf injury.   Jones, who scored 11 total points in the series’ first four games, went for 20 in Game 5. Gordon, who averaged 16.2 points per game in the regular season, played limited minutes in Game 4, but missed both Games 3 and 5 and is listed as questionable for Thursday.   Jones, who averaged just 5.5 points per game in the regular season, delivered his highest-scoring performance since Dec. 1 (28 points) at an opportune time.   “It’s something that happened throughout the season, guys going down and me getting an opportunity to start,” Jones said. “I’ll get more minutes, but the role is still the same, the duties are still the same.”   Building on the momentum from his making four 3-pointers Monday, Jones could play a role in Denver’s key perimeter scorer, Jamal Murray, finding cleaner looks from beyond the arc.   Murray has scored 30 points three times in the series, and with his 24 in Game 5, he is up to 26.0 points per game through the five contests. That’s a team-high, outpacing three-time league Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic’s 25.4 ppg.   However, Murray has gone 0-for from deep twice, including the Game 3 loss.   Jokic, meanwhile, had his best game of the series Monday, finishing as a plus-18 with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds. He was a plus-one, minus-21 and minus-12 in Denver’s three losses.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Undermanned #Wolves #eliminate #balanced #Nuggets #GameApr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) goes to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Faced with key injuries, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try to close out their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday in Minneapolis.

Minnesota successfully managed Game 4 despite losing star Anthony Edwards and his starting backcourt mate, Donte DiVincenzo, early. But with Edwards sidelined due to a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee and DiVincenzo gone with a torn right Achilles tendon, the Timberwolves dropped a close-out opportunity on Monday in Denver, 125-113.

Edwards and DiVincenzo were both catalysts as Minnesota gained the early advantage in the series, with Edwards going for 30 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2. DiVincenzo scored a total of 31 points in Games 2 and 3, both Timberwolves victories.

With the two perimeter playmakers out Monday, Minnesota committed 25 turnovers — two more than the Timberwolves lost in their previous two games combined, and a team-high dating back to before the All-Star break.

“A lot of silly, forced play by guys trying to make something out of nothing,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of the Game 5 turnover woes.

Finch also pointed to Denver’s defensive adjustments, noting that the Nuggets “put two (defenders)” on Ayo Dosunmu for the first time in the series.

Dosunmu, a late-season acquisition via trade from Chicago, emerged as the hero in Game 4 after Edwards and DiVincenzo exited. He scored 43 points, bookended by performances of 25 and 18 points, respectively, in Games 3 and 5.

Aside from Julius Randle’s 27 points, however, no other Minnesota player managed more than 13 in Monday’s loss.


Denver, meanwhile, got 18-plus points from four of its five starters in the elimination contest. Among the quartet was forward Spencer Jones, who has seen a significant uptick in minutes with Aaron Gordon dealing with a calf injury.

Jones, who scored 11 total points in the series’ first four games, went for 20 in Game 5. Gordon, who averaged 16.2 points per game in the regular season, played limited minutes in Game 4, but missed both Games 3 and 5 and is listed as questionable for Thursday.

Jones, who averaged just 5.5 points per game in the regular season, delivered his highest-scoring performance since Dec. 1 (28 points) at an opportune time.

“It’s something that happened throughout the season, guys going down and me getting an opportunity to start,” Jones said. “I’ll get more minutes, but the role is still the same, the duties are still the same.”

Building on the momentum from his making four 3-pointers Monday, Jones could play a role in Denver’s key perimeter scorer, Jamal Murray, finding cleaner looks from beyond the arc.

Murray has scored 30 points three times in the series, and with his 24 in Game 5, he is up to 26.0 points per game through the five contests. That’s a team-high, outpacing three-time league Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic’s 25.4 ppg.

However, Murray has gone 0-for from deep twice, including the Game 3 loss.

Jokic, meanwhile, had his best game of the series Monday, finishing as a plus-18 with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds. He was a plus-one, minus-21 and minus-12 in Denver’s three losses.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Undermanned #Wolves #eliminate #balanced #Nuggets #Game">Deadspin | Undermanned Wolves try to eliminate balanced Nuggets in Game 6   Apr 23, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) goes to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images   Faced with key injuries, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try to close out their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday in Minneapolis.   Minnesota successfully managed Game 4 despite losing star Anthony Edwards and his starting backcourt mate, Donte DiVincenzo, early. But with Edwards sidelined due to a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee and DiVincenzo gone with a torn right Achilles tendon, the Timberwolves dropped a close-out opportunity on Monday in Denver, 125-113.   Edwards and DiVincenzo were both catalysts as Minnesota gained the early advantage in the series, with Edwards going for 30 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2. DiVincenzo scored a total of 31 points in Games 2 and 3, both Timberwolves victories.   With the two perimeter playmakers out Monday, Minnesota committed 25 turnovers — two more than the Timberwolves lost in their previous two games combined, and a team-high dating back to before the All-Star break.   “A lot of silly, forced play by guys trying to make something out of nothing,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said of the Game 5 turnover woes.   Finch also pointed to Denver’s defensive adjustments, noting that the Nuggets “put two (defenders)” on Ayo Dosunmu for the first time in the series.   Dosunmu, a late-season acquisition via trade from Chicago, emerged as the hero in Game 4 after Edwards and DiVincenzo exited. He scored 43 points, bookended by performances of 25 and 18 points, respectively, in Games 3 and 5.   Aside from Julius Randle’s 27 points, however, no other Minnesota player managed more than 13 in Monday’s loss.   Denver, meanwhile, got 18-plus points from four of its five starters in the elimination contest. Among the quartet was forward Spencer Jones, who has seen a significant uptick in minutes with Aaron Gordon dealing with a calf injury.   Jones, who scored 11 total points in the series’ first four games, went for 20 in Game 5. Gordon, who averaged 16.2 points per game in the regular season, played limited minutes in Game 4, but missed both Games 3 and 5 and is listed as questionable for Thursday.   Jones, who averaged just 5.5 points per game in the regular season, delivered his highest-scoring performance since Dec. 1 (28 points) at an opportune time.   “It’s something that happened throughout the season, guys going down and me getting an opportunity to start,” Jones said. “I’ll get more minutes, but the role is still the same, the duties are still the same.”   Building on the momentum from his making four 3-pointers Monday, Jones could play a role in Denver’s key perimeter scorer, Jamal Murray, finding cleaner looks from beyond the arc.   Murray has scored 30 points three times in the series, and with his 24 in Game 5, he is up to 26.0 points per game through the five contests. That’s a team-high, outpacing three-time league Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic’s 25.4 ppg.   However, Murray has gone 0-for from deep twice, including the Game 3 loss.   Jokic, meanwhile, had his best game of the series Monday, finishing as a plus-18 with 27 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds. He was a plus-one, minus-21 and minus-12 in Denver’s three losses.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Undermanned #Wolves #eliminate #balanced #Nuggets #Game

Post Comment