The NBA playoffs, which began on Saturday, featured plenty of action, particularly between the Clippers and the Denver Nuggets.
Game 1
Game 1 provided lots of action, in which we saw the Clippers take a 15-point lead at halftime, only to see the Denver Nuggets rally in the second half and ultimately send the game to overtime, winning 112-110 over the Clippers. The Clippers opened the 2nd quarter of Game 1 with a 51-36 lead, which silenced the Denver crowd at the time. Denver rallied in the quarter on a 13-2 run. James Harden was dominant with 32 points, though it wasn’t enough as the Clippers lost game 1 against the Denver Nuggets.
In the loss to Denver in Game 1, James Harden reached 14th in the All-Time NBA playoff points in NBA history.
Harden also moved to 8th on the All-time NBA playoff assists list.
The reason for the Clippers in how they lost to Denver which cost them game 1 was the turnovers. The LA Clippers had 20 turnovers, some of which were simple, while others were bad plays.
Game 2
Game 2 was a different story; both teams played a more physical game. The Clippers won the game thanks to Kawhi Leonard’s 39-point game in the win against the Denver Nuggets. Kawhi Leonard, who was injured for most of the season, proved to people why he’s still one of the best in the league. Kawhi was 15/19 from the field in the 105-102 win in game 2 against the Nuggets, which helped the Clippers to even the series at 1-1. Kawhi Leonard achieved 3,000 career playoff points in the win against Denver in Game 2.
Game 2 provided more action, especially with how both Denver and the Clippers were physical.
Jamal Murray and Norman Powell had an altercation in the third quarter of Game 2, resulting in both players receiving technical fouls. Jamal Murray had an aggressive close-out towards Norman Powell, ultimately grabbing him and jawing him with words.
The way the Clippers team responded in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets, after losing Game 1, showed the mentality and toughness that this Clippers team has displayed all season long.
This series is far from over, and with the Clippers heading back home for games 3 and 4 with the series tied up 1-1, look for the Clippers to have the upper hand.
The Clippers posted a 30-11 record at home in the Intuit Dome.
“The Wall,” which every opposing team hates, will play a factor in both games.
PHOTO: Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images
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