Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The spark plugs energized the Denver Nuggets.

Ty Lawson scored a career playoff-high 27 points and fellow speedy point guardRaymond Felton hit four clutch free throws in the final 23 seconds to help Denver beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-101 on Monday night as the Nuggets avoided a first-round sweep.

The series resumes Wednesday night with Game 5 in Oklahoma City.

“This is the biggest game of my life,” Lawson said. “I just wanted to come out and just play strong.”

The Nuggets still face a huge challenge in trying to become the first NBA team ever to overcome a 3-0 series deficit, but they finally found a formula for beating their nemesis, and Lawson was front and center.

“He was great in the pick and roll,”Kevin Durant said. “He made some tough shots. Ty’s a great scorer. He can do a lot in that pick and roll.”

Danilo Gallinari (18 points) and J.R. Smith (15) also hit clutch shots down the stretch for Denver, which had lost five straight times to Oklahoma City this month before finally figuring out All-Stars Durant and Russell Westbrook and their amazing supporting cast.

“J.R., he had a bunch of big 3s, Gallo started knocking down 3s,” Lawson said. “When they do that, it stretches the court, so it’s easier for me to attack. When they knock down shots, they make me a lot better.”

In denying the Thunder their first playoff series win since moving from Seattle in 2008, the Nuggets went to the hoop better than they had all series, spread the court better and relied on the smooth touch of Gallinari, who totaled just 13 points in the previous two games but finished with 18 Monday night to counter Durant’s 31 points and Westbrook’s 30 points — on 30 shots.

WRITTEN BY STATS LLC and The Associated Press & FULL STORY HERE