Well, it’s about that time again. Game 7. The Denver Nuggets have been intimately familiar with Game 7’s over the last few years. They’ve been on the winning and losing end, so there’s plenty of experience for Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and others to lean on.
How will they handle this moment as a team? It’s been an exhausting season, and this is Denver’s first true elimination game of the year. Will the Nuggets figure it out together?
Let’s talk basketball.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Starting Lineups
Denver: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
Los Angeles: James Harden, Norman Powell, Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac
Key Bench Players
Denver: Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, and DeAndre Jordan played in Game 6. Jalen Pickett did not play.
Los Angeles: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones Jr., and Nicolas Batum played in Game 6. Ben Simmons did not play.
Notable Injuries
Denver: DaRon Holmes II – OUT
Los Angeles: None
Key for the Nuggets – Shut down the Clippers’ momentum at every point
Three of the reasons the Nuggets lost Game 6 were runs to begin the second quarter, a run to begin the third quarter, and a big run in the middle of the third. The Clippers had an 8-2 run without Nikola Jokic on the floor to start the second. DeAndre Jordan was out there against Nicolas Batum at center (more on him later) and couldn’t impact the game on either end. The Clippers also had an 8-2 run to begin the third quarter as Denver clearly wasn’t ready for Batum to start the second half (I’m sensing a theme here). Finally, the Clippers went on a 12-0 run after Denver stopped that initial outburst because Denver couldn’t score for a full five minutes of game time.
The key in important games is to recapture momentum as soon as possible without letting things spiral. In that last stretch, Michael Porter Jr. missed a wide open layup that would’ve tied up the game. Instead, the Clippers went on a 12-0 run right after with Denver giving up three turnovers and multiple second chance opportunities.
Stop. The. Momentum. If the Nuggets want to advance to the next round, they can’t allow those kinds of runs.
Important Matchup – Nikola Jokic vs Ivica Zubac
While the Clippers have varied their matchups on Jokic, the most common matchup has been Ivica Zubac by far. The Clippers will change up how much help they’re giving Zubac in post defense and isolation coverage, but usually it’s Zubac who starts on Jokic. In a close game, it will be Zubac who ends up on him as well.
In the first half of Game 6, Jokic shot 9-of-13 from the field and had 20 points. In the second half, he shot just 2-of-9 for five points and din’t attempt a single free throw, much to the chagrin of Nuggets fans everywhere. The aggressiveness on the three-pointer just wasn’t there, and Jokic passed up several shots trying to generate something he felt more comfortable with.
In Game 7, it’s rare to feel comfortable about anything. Jokic has already discussed how Zubac has made him second guess certain things. The best thing Jokic can do is try to simplify his process and force the Clippers to adjust. He’s one of the smartest basketball minds the world has ever seen, but trying to do too much might get him in trouble.
Series Adjustment – Nicolas Batum’s versatility
According to NBA.com’s admittedly wonky tracking data, Batum has spent time guarding all four of Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, and Nikola Jokic pretty consistently. Gordon has actually had the most success scoring against Batum, but Porter has really struggled when matched up with the savvy veteran. Murray and Jokic have each found success, but it’s clear that Batum’s high basketball IQ, constant press defense, and elite hands have been an issue for both players at times.
It’s led the Clippers to play Batum more and more during the series. He’s played 24.0 minutes per game in the series and most recently started the second half of Game 6 ahead of Kris Dunn, who played just 10 minutes. It wouldn’t surprise me if Batum starts Game 7 or at least plays 30 minutes, and the Nuggets will have to be ready for him. He’s a versatile weapon that fans don’t identify consistently enough when talking about the Clippers’ elite defense, but his ability to reasonably guard 1 thru 5 at his age is remarkable.
Number of the Day – 6
Including today, that’s the number of Game 7’s the Nuggets have played since the 2019 playoffs when they first entered the playoff mix. Six games breaks a tie with the Boston Celtics for the most Game 7’s of any team in that span. Denver has plenty of experience in these situations, but they’ve also lost in similar ways in 2019 (Portland Trail Blazers) and last year (Minnesota Timberwolves) by winning Game 5 of a 2-2 series before losing both Game 6 and 7.
Nugget who should have a good game: Unknown
You never know what will happen. I think Jokic will show up. I think Murray will show up. I think Gordon will show up. Do I know for certain? Absolutely not. This series has been so even, and the Clippers have disrupted the Nuggets every time they’ve had a chance to get comfortable. Who knows what the Nuggets will have to deal with? All they can do is be prepared and simply play harder than the Clippers through 48 minutes.
Game 7 Preview: What to Watch for in Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Mile High Sports.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Game 7 Preview: What to Watch for in Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers )
Also on site :