INGLEWOOD — Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has allowed himself at times to think about the what-ifs of past postseasons, times when the Clippers came up short or didn’t qualify at all.
But, as he pointed out, that was then, and this is now where the Denver Nuggets stand in their way of advancing in this season’s Western Conference playoffs.
And now meant figuring out how the Clippers could play better in Game 3 on Thursday night than they did in the first two games of their best-of-seven first-round series.
“We got to play better. We have to play better. That’s our mindset,” he said before the game.
Lue didn’t have to wait long to see whether the Clippers would elevate their game against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. The Clippers put on a dominating display in a 117-83 victory in front of an energized, towel-waving sold-out crowd in the first postseason game at the Intuit Dome.
After the first two games were decided by a combined total of five points, this was a surprising result. The blowout gives the Clippers a 2-1 edge in the series going into Game 4 on Saturday afternoon at the Intuit Dome.
After the close games in Denver, the Clippers returned to their home arena, where they went 30-11 in the regular season. Whether it was the familiar surroundings or the fans who cheered non-stop, something energized the Clippers, who led by as much as 25 points behind a balanced attack.
Kawhi Leonard had 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while James Harden scored all of his 20 points in the first half to go with nine assists and six rebounds. Norman Powell, who struggled in the first two games, scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
Ivica Zubac added 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, while Nicolas Batum added 12 points and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 10 as Clippers owner Steve Ballmer clapped his hands and pumped his fist from a seat near his team’s bench.
But it was the Clippers’ perimeter defense that helped slow the Nuggets, who shot just 7 for 25 from 3-point range (28%). The Clippers were 18 for 39 (46.2%) from long range, led by Batum, who was 4 for 6. Harden, Leonard and Powell each made three 3-pointers.
The Clippers controlled the boards, 48-38, and their bench outscored the Nuggets’ reserves, 31-6.
The Clippers kept Jokic off kilter in the early going, but the Nuggets center still posted his 20th triple-double of the season with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
Jamaal Murray added 23 points.
The Clippers dug themselves into a hole early as they struggled to find the basket, giving the crowd little to cheer about.
But as the clock reached the final two minutes of the first quarter and the white towels began to whip around the arena, Harden found his touch, scoring 11 of the final 16 points of the period to give the Clippers a seven-point lead.
It was the kind of boost the Clippers needed as they rode that momentum to a 65-47 halftime lead.
Harden continued his first-half onslaught, and Batum added nine points on three 3-pointers as the Clippers held the Nuggets to 41.3% shooting (19 for 46) before the intermission.
Former Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook, who sparked the Nuggets to victory in Game 1, suffered a left foot injury in the second quarter and did not return.
Michael Porter Jr., who sprained his left shoulder late in Game 2, was limited to seven points and six rebounds.
More to come on this story.
Related Articles
Clippers want Norman Powell to stay aggressive for Game 3 versus Nuggets Clippers used ‘grit-and-grind’ mentality to steal home-court advantage Kawhi Leonard, Clippers hold off Nuggets in Game 2, even series Clippers say reducing turnovers key to Game 2 success in Denver Russell Westbrook helps Nuggets rally past Clippers in Game 1 Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Clippers crush Nuggets in Game 3 for 2-1 series lead )
Also on site :