The Los Angeles Clippers have taken full control of their second-round series with the Denver Nuggets by capitalizing off a terrific start, and cruising to a 96-85 triumph in Game 5 to take a 3-1 series lead. The Clippers are now just one win far from their first conference finals trip in franchise history.
It took the Clippers just about eight minutes to develop a double-digit lead, and they maintained that advantage for much of the game. Kawhi Leonard dominated, completing with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists for a near triple-double, while Montrezl Harrell came off the bench to chip in 15.
Nikola Jokic did his thing, nearly recording a triple-double of his own with 26 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, however he didnt get any help. Jamal Murray, in specific, had a hard night, opting for 18 points on 6-of-15 from the field. As a team, the Nuggets shot 39.7 percent and turned the ball over 14 times..
Here are some key takeaways from the video game:.
Kawhi dominates.
This was not an offending work of art 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 need your finest player more than ever, and Kawhi Leonard delivered.
He put the Clippers on his back, dropping a smooth 30 points, 11 rebounds and 9 helps, to go along with four steals and 2 blocks. It was just another constant efficiency from the ruling Finals MVP, who always appears to be in complete control. Nothing fazes him, not the minute nor the opposing group..
Murray and Jokic are accountable for half of Denvers points in the postseason, and when one of them is getting included like this, they just have no possibility..
Clippers on the brink of history.
The Game 4 win provided the Clippers a 3-1 lead in this series, which puts them not just in total 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 debut in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers have actually never been past the 2nd round of the playoffs. Theyve just handled to win 6 playoff series in that whole time, and that includes their first-round triumph over the Mavericks. Their 50-year conference finals drought is the longest in the NBA..
Presuming the Clippers do the job eventually in the next few games, the Atlanta Hawks (44 years) will take control of the uncomplimentary title, with the Washington Wizards (41 years) not far behind..
This was not an offending work of art from the Clippers. He put the Clippers on his back, dropping a smooth 30 points, 11 rebounds and 9 helps, to go along with 4 takes and two 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, though, hes only handling 17.8 points per video game and 38.2 percent shooting. Dating back to their launching in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers have never been past the second round of the playoffs.
A few minutes later, 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 installing 29.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.7 helps and 2.3 steals per video game, while shooting 51.5 percent. The Game 2 loss to the Nuggets was his just bad video game up until now, and hes showing as soon as again that hes the finest player in the league come playoff time..
With Leonard playing like this, its going to be difficult to beat the Clippers four times in a series..
Clippers make life tough for Murray.
The Clippers had a mediocre offending game, however they still won by double digits due to the fact that of their efforts on the protective end. They restricted the Nuggets to 39.7 percent shooting and required 14 turnovers. In specific, they made life exceptionally difficult for young Nuggets star Jamal Murray.
Murray was remarkable against allure in the preliminary, creating some historic efficiencies. In this series, though, hes only handling 17.8 points per game and 38.2 percent shooting. That pattern continued in Game 4, as he finished with 18 points on 6 of 15 from the field..
While the Clippers arent constantly the most constant group on the defensive end, they do have some elite boundary protectors in Patrick Beverley and Leonard, and they combined to make certain Murray never ever had a break. Just take these sequences in the 3rd quarter, for example.
Beverley chases Murray around screens, bugs him on the drive and requires a hard layup that Murray misses out on.
