The LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets are going to war in the Western Conference’s 4th and 5th matchup.
In Game 1 on Saturday, Denver came out on top with a 112-110 victory over LA in overtime. This game set the tone for what will be a grueling series for both teams.
The Clippers enter the series as one of the hottest teams in the league. They won their last 8 games, including a final game against the Golden State Warriors which clinched them the 5th seed in the west.
Kawhi Leonard has returned to form as of late. Though he only scored 22 points in Game 1, Leonard is known to elevate his play in the postseason. As a Clipper, he has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 29 playoff games since 2020.
James Harden and Ivica Zubac have also fueled the Clippers’ elite play down the stretch. Harden scored 32 points and dished out 11 assists in the loss. Zubac had 21 points and 13 rebounds.
The Clippers’ X-factor in this playoff series will be Norman Powell. Early on in the season, Powell carried the Clippers offensively and kept them afloat in the Western Conference standings. The return of Leonard and injuries cooled Powell off and made him take a lesser role, in which he has struggled. He only had 12 points on 5-for-12 shooting in Game 1.
LA had trouble taking care of the ball, as they had 20 turnovers. Denver exploited this, as they were able to score 29 points off those turnovers.
Denver’s championship DNA was evident throughout Game 1, as they stayed composed while down as much as 15.
When a team has Nikola Jokic, who is arguably the best player in the world, they will always have a chance.
Jokic dominated LA as he scored 29 points, dished out 12 assists and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Jokic has put the Nuggets on his back the whole season, as he has averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists. The three-time NBA MVP has put together his best season statistically and he is in consideration for his fourth of the award.
The Nuggets faced some uncertainty after firing head coach Michael Malone just a few days before the start of the playoffs. Questions arose about what was going on in Denver’s locker room and their state heading into the postseason.
Denver put an end to those questions, at least for the time being. The Nuggets showed they are still a dangerous team on any given night.
Aaron Gordon came up big in Game 1, as he scored 25 points on 8-for-14 from the field. His defense was key in Denver’s victory down the stretch, as he had 2 steals and pestered Leonard all game.
Jamal Murray scored 21 points on 7-for-20 from the field. Though he struggled from the field, he grabbed 9 rebounds and handed out 7 assists.
The Clippers and Nuggets will be the most entertaining series in the first round. Both teams can go blow for blow as shown by Game 1.
Although Denver has the championship experience, their roster is not as deep as LA’s. The Nuggets had four of their starters play over 40 minutes in their Game 1 victory, while the Clippers had two. Denver’s lack of depth is what cost them in last year’s playoff loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves and they have not addressed that area since.
The bulk of Denver’s offense will have to come from Jokic, Murray and Michael Porter Jr.. Jokic will always find a way to get going offensively, but the Clippers have deeper defensive versatility. Leonard, Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. will disrupt Murray and Porter Jr..
This series will come down to the wire, but Denver will run out of gas first.
Prediction: Clippers in 7.
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