The Los Angeles Clippers have taken complete control of their second-round series with the Denver Nuggets by capitalizing off a terrific start, and cruising to a 96-85 victory in Game 5 to take a 3-1 series lead. The Clippers are now just one win away from their very first conference finals journey in franchise history.
It took the Clippers only about eight minutes to construct a double-digit lead, and they maintained that benefit for much of the game. Kawhi Leonard controlled, completing with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 9 helps for a near triple-double, while Montrezl Harrell came off the bench to chip in 15.
Nikola Jokic did his thing, nearly tape-recording a triple-double of his own with 26 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, however he didnt get any help. Jamal Murray, in particular, had a tough night, choosing 18 points on 6-of-15 from the field. As a group, the Nuggets shot 39.7 percent and turned the ball over 14 times..
Here are some crucial takeaways from the video game:.
Kawhi controls.
This was not an offending masterpiece from the Clippers. They shot 41.8 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from 3-point land and needed to grind out 30 free-throw attempts to keep their offense afloat. On nights like that, you require your best gamer more than ever, and Kawhi Leonard provided.
He put the Clippers on his back, dropping a smooth 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, to accompany four steals and 2 blocks. It was just another constant efficiency from the reigning Finals MVP, who always seems to be in total control. Nothing fazes him, not the moment nor the opposing group..
A few minutes later on, he has Leonard in his face, and gets so flustered he turns it over..
It was his 6th 30-point game in 10 outings this postseason, and Leonard is now putting up 29.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.3 takes per game, while shooting 51.5 percent. The Game 2 loss to the Nuggets was his just bad video game up until now, and hes proving once again that hes the very best gamer in the league come playoff time..
With Leonard playing like this, its going to be difficult to beat the Clippers 4 times in a series..
Clippers make life tough for Murray.
The Clippers had an average offensive game, but they still won by double digits since of their efforts on the defensive end. They limited the Nuggets to 39.7 percent shooting and required 14 turnovers. In particular, they made life exceptionally tough for young Nuggets star Jamal Murray.
Murray was incredible versus allure in the preliminary, assembling some historical performances. In this series, however, hes just handling 17.8 points per video game and 38.2 percent shooting. That pattern continued in Game 4, as he ended up with 18 points on 6 of 15 from the field..
While the Clippers arent always the most constant group on the protective end, they do have some elite boundary defenders in Patrick Beverley and Leonard, and they combined to ensure Murray never ever had a break. Simply take these sequences in the 3rd quarter.
Beverley goes after Murray around screens, pesters him on the drive and forces a hard layup that Murray misses out on.
This was not an offensive work of art from the Clippers. He put the Clippers on his back, dropping a smooth 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine helps, to go along with 4 takes and 2 blocks. The Clippers had an average offensive video game, but they still won by double digits because of their efforts on the protective end. In this series, however, hes just handling 17.8 points per video game and 38.2 percent shooting. Dating back to their debut in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers have never been past the second round of the playoffs.
Murray and Jokic are accountable for half of Denvers points in the postseason, and when among them is getting contained like this, they just have no possibility..
Clippers on the verge of history.
The Game 4 win offered the Clippers a 3-1 lead in this series, which puts them not just in complete control, but on the verge of history. One more win, and theyll be on to the Western Conference finals for the very first time in franchise history..
Going back to their launching in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers have never been past the second round of the playoffs. In reality, theyve only handled to win 6 playoff series because whole time, and that includes their first-round accomplishment over the Mavericks. Their 50-year conference finals dry spell is the longest in the NBA..
Assuming the Clippers finish the job at some point in the next couple of games, the Atlanta Hawks (44 years) will take control of the unflattering title, with the Washington Wizards (41 years) not far behind..
