Both teams struggled from the field early but Denver was able to build a little lead with Murray getting it going. That assisted the Nuggets enter a bit of groove while the Clippers stayed cold and Denvers lead grew to 10. Murray continued to be hot as the very first six minutes went about as well as it possibly might with the Nuggets lead continuing to grow. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George started to find their range to stop the lead from growing but Jokic kept it from getting any closer. When the benches was available in the Nuggets continued to hit threes so the lead kept growing. Joker looked like he took a low blow right at the end of the quarter but appeared to be ok. The Nuggets finished up a wonderful very first quarter with a nineteen point lead.
This was not an offensively charged match tonight but it requires to be highlighted. I stated in the preview there was no stopping Kawhi but I was wrong. Grant kipped down a defensive masterpiece on The Klaw while getting some help from Harris and Craig along the way. Because of that group, most likely the worst performance the Nuggets can anticipate from Leonard this series and thats 100%.
The Denver Nuggets required to bounce back after being blown out by the Los Angeles Clippers in game one of the Western Conference Semifinals. That assisted the Nuggets get into a bit of groove while the Clippers stayed cold and Denvers lead grew to 10. Towards the midpoint of the quarter the Nuggets began to cool off which let the Clippers cut into the lead. After that though the Nuggets offense went cold and the Clippers started combating back. Gary Harris injected some life back into Denver with a pair of threes to trigger a Nuggets 8-0 run and the lead was back to double digits with six minutes to go.
L.A. had a couple possessions go their way early in the second on offense but the Nuggets werent slowing down either and kept the lead around twenty. Denvers bench was playing outstanding, especially Monte Morris with great energy from Torrey Craig. Towards the midpoint of the quarter the Nuggets began to cool down which let the Clippers cut into the lead. They stopped moving the basketball and opted for jumpers as L.A. went on a 14-3 go to force Michael Malone to take a timeout. Jokic and Murray soothed things down to keep the lead from getting any smaller sized with the half unwinding. After the end of two Denver was up 72-56.
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The Denver Nuggets needed to recuperate after being blown out by the Los Angeles Clippers in game one of the Western Conference Semifinals. They jumped on L.A. early, opening a twenty plus point lead in the very first quarter on the backs of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. The Clippers would battle back in the 2nd half to make a game of it however Denvers defense held out and ultimately proved to be too much. Nuggets get the win 110-101 and even the series.
Gary Harris injected some life back into Denver with a pair of threes to spark a Nuggets 8-0 run and the lead was back to double digits with 6 minutes to go. Things began to get careless in crunch time however and the Nuggets let the Clippers hang around. Nuggets win 110-101.
Harris was absolutely exceptional tonight. He helped contain Kawhi, played tough defense on George and was a crucial factor on offense. It was Harris who ultimately put the Clippers away with some huge 3s in the last minutes. It cant be overemphasized just how much Denver missed his defense while he was out however this evening we likewise saw just how much they can use his shooting. I dont anticipate Gary to be a huge factor on offense throughout the playoffs however he shows how he can be another threat for Denver on any provided night.
Paul Millsap, who was playing his best game of the playoffs so far, opened the second half with a 3 to help Denver press back up by twenty. After that though the Nuggets offense went cold and the Clippers began combating back. Their shooting has a hard time continued prior to Murray lastly hit a step back at the midway point of the quarter keeping the Nuggets lead at fifteen. Had it not been for the Clippers being similarly as cold as Denver the video game might have been close, however the 3rd quarter in general was a huge brick fest. L.A. did seem to be getting the benefit of the whistle which kept the video game simply inside striking range with the quarter coming to a close. Michael Porter Jr and Lou Williams entered a little duel at the end with the Clippers closing a little stronger and pulling within twelve after 3.
The Nuggets managed this one from the dive and wound up going wire to wire with the lead however it definitely doesnt feel like a dominant win. Denver developed a big lead in the very first quarter behind Jokic and Murray and sort of just rode that for the rest of the game. Its probably not wise to anticipate the Clippers stars to have a hard time like this again either. Still, a win is a win and the Nuggets can be pleased knowing the series is connected 1-1.
