When asked about that component of the hamstring injury, Adelman acknowledged that Gordon’s willingness to risk it might be increased by the situation. Win Game 7, and the Nuggets advance to face Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals. Lose, and their season ends.

It's nearly time for the second round of the NBA Playoffs to come to a close, with the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder set for a Game 7 on Sunday afternoon. The Eastern Conference Finals are set, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

The Nuggets fought off elimination with some home cooking. They went 27-of-32 on free throws while the Thunder went just 10-of-16. The discrepancy gifted Denver 17 more points in a 12-point result. But the other big variable that favored them was their role players.