Five years after their game 7 in the “Bulle” of Orlando, the Nuggets and Clippers meet for a “do or die” type match in Colorado this time. As in 2020, these are the teammates of Nikola Jokic (16 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 interceptions) and Jamal Murray (16 points, 5 rebounds) which dominated those of Kawhi Leonard (22 points, 5 rebounds).
“Dominated”, or should we rather write: explode, spray, humiliate. Indeed, Denver simply crushed Los Angeles (120-101) with, in addition to the Jokic/Murray doublet, the determining contribution of Christian Braun (21 points, 5 rebounds), Aaron Gordon (22 points, 5 passes), Russell Westbrook (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 interceptions) but also Michael Porter Jr. (15 points, 6 rebounds). The final score is also very flattering for the Californians, totally next to their basketball.
A real collective demonstration on the part of the Nuggets, which counted up to 35 points ahead before somewhat relax in the fourth quarter, when the Clippers had already agitated the white flag. It is in any case an excellent performance of the 2023 Champions, which will have launched and swollen in terms of confidence to face … The Thunder, the seeded #1 to the west, in the conference semi-finals.
Retain
– The Denver collective responded present. If the Nuggets managed to rouster the Clippers in this way with a Nikola Jokic at “only” 14 points, it is because the lieutenants and soldiers of the “Joker” were perfect in this Game 7. from Christian Braun to Russell Westbrook, passing by Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson, even Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Basic men of the rotation of David Adelman who brought positively at a time in this part (if not all the match on it). Reassuring and important before challenging the impressive Thunder the next round.
-– The shipwreck of the clippers. In the lead after a quarter (26-21), the players of Los Angeles gradually let go, between this 37-21 conceded in the second quarter, but especially this 35-19 which changed everything in the third. Especially when the nuggets returned from the changing rooms by inflicting a… 17-0, from which the men of Tyronn read (so far undefeated in Game 7). Not at the level in intensity, not helped by the new non-match of James Harden, almost without envy and little inspired in attack, they leave the playoffs by the small door, on a spanking that will be a date to launch their Inglewood era…
– Okc is (finally) fixed. A week after his qualification, the Thunder now knows his opponent in the conference semi-finals. It will therefore be Nuggets and Game 1 will take place on Monday. No time to blow for Denver before rubbing the best team in the league, quite simply. The opportunity, above all, to see the triple MVP Nikola Jokic and Son (future) successor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to reply in a series to the best of seven games, after their 2-2 in the regular season. The experience factor is leaning in favor of the Nuggets, champions two years ago and in the semi-finals for the sixth time since 2019.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
