the Denver Nuggets (25-13) Take down Los Angeles Clippers (21-19) in dominant vogue, profitable 122-91. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George each did not examine in throughout the second half on account of their very own poor scoring. The Nuggets’ starters did not get into the sport after the three:21 mark of the third quarter, both. Denver went up by as a lot as 44 factors, and so they solely allowed 15 factors within the first quarter and solely 32 factors within the first half as properly. The Nuggets have to this point received their final 7 of their 8 video games towards the Clippers.
Nikola Jokic completed with 12 factors, 6 rebounds and 9 assists, all in simply 24 minutes. Jamal Murray led all gamers with 19 factors, shot 4-5 from three, 7-10 from the sphere, and scored simply 13 factors within the first quarter. Murray additionally performed solely 21 minutes. Vlatko Kankar completed with 15 factors and 12 rebounds, his career-high double-double.
First Quarter:
Nikola Jokic wins the sum and takes a nook kick after grabbing the primary basket of the sport. Then Aaron Gordon scored the following six factors for the Nuggets, adopted by Jamal Murray’s 13 straight factors. The Denver Clippers held a rating of 4-21 taking pictures from the sphere and 1-11 taking pictures from three within the first quarter. The Nuggets opened taking pictures 50% from three and from the sphere, however ultimately calmed down and misplaced 5 straight pictures earlier than Jamal Murray made his third of the quarter.
Denver’s offense was pouring early, and the Nuggets had 8 assists of their first 10 baskets made. Jokic is out with 2:00 left, and with the Nuggets main by 13, Zeke Nagy is available in for him. Bones defeated Highland and Flatko Kankar with 3-pointers of their very own as Denver closed out the quarterfinals in a 12-2 tie. The Clippers missed their remaining seven pictures and solely scored free throws within the final 3:58 of the quarter. Denver is up 32-15 after one.
Second Quarter:
Bruce Brown related on his second three-pointer of the sport to start out the quarter. The Nuggets have been completely burning from three to start out, taking pictures 7-13 within the first quarter-hour of the sport. The Clippers racked up 4 straight scoring possessions, however Kentavious Caldwell Pope hit back-to-back 3-pointers and the Nuggets by no means let go of the throttle. Vlatko Cancar threw a dunk and the Nuggets are up by 27, greater than double the Clippers’ rating on the time.
The Nuggets go on one other 10-0 run with Jokić nonetheless on the bench, and get again into the sport with the Nuggets with 20 and 5:41 to go. The Clippers might get nowhere on offense, taking pictures 2-21 from three and 11-41 at halftime. The Nuggets have their largest lead of the season, 35 factors. Bones knocks Highland three straight and the Nuggets go on a 19-0 run. Jokic had 7 assists within the half, whereas the Clippers had 5 as a crew. The Clippers scored 9 of their 17 factors within the remaining quarter at 3:38 into the quarter. The Nuggets go into halftime up 34, 66-32.
Third quarter:
The Clippers opened the second half with all gamers on the bench. The Nuggets and Clippers every rating their first two pictures after halftime, and Jamal Murray hits one other three-pointer. After permitting back-to-back baskets and an alley after a turnover, Coach Malone calls a timeout whereas up by 32. MPJ drains a three-pointer and will get a troublesome finish to go on the rim. With 7 minutes left within the third, the Nuggets hit 10 occasions extra (13-22) than the Clippers (3-25) whereas taking pictures 3 fewer occasions. The Nuggets go on for one more 11-0 run and MPJ will get an enormous kick from the Joker.
Denver extends its result in 40 factors behind 7 straight factors from Jokic. The Clippers get some vitality behind the Terrance Mann tomahawk dunk and go on a 6-0 run of their very own, adopted by one other coach Malone timeout. Zeke Nnaji grabs a pleasant block and Bones Hyland finishes the possession with a pleasant acrobatic contact. Vlatko Cancar makes 3 nook kicks and makes the Nuggets whole 100 factors with 45 seconds left. Denver enters fourth over 102-59.
The fourth quarter:
The Clippers nonetheless solely have two bench gamers on the court docket to start out the quarter, and so they’ve scored 6 of their first 8 factors. Denver solely scores 4 factors within the first 3 minutes of the quarter and Coach Malone calls one other timeout. Nnaji finishes a troublesome throw and 1 dunk after Davon Reed hits three. The Nuggets’ backups put the sport away and maintained a stable effort all through your entire sport, though it ended properly earlier than the ultimate buzzer. Denver bought its first “monster” of the season, holding the Clippers to simply 90 factors.
What’s Subsequent?
Nuggets will take over Cleveland Cavaliers (25-14) once more on the Ball Enviornment in lower than 24 hours. With tonight’s sport going, the Nuggets ought to be totally rested for tomorrow. The sport kicks off at 7:00 and is shaping as much as be thrilling. Donovan Mitchell has averaged 33.5 factors during the last 4 video games, together with a historic 71-point sport.
Word – Blissful Birthday to Alex English