EditorsNote: revises perfect graf to repeat perfect time Beverley played
Sep 3, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball in opposition to Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) throughout the first half in sport one of the most 2d spherical of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Necessary Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Denver Nuggets 120-97 in Sport 1 of the Western Convention semifinals on Thursday at the NBA bubble terminate to Orlando.
Leonard connected on 12 of 16 footage from the bottom in 32 minutes, sitting out the fourth quarter. Even supposing his trip of five consecutive games with 32 or more points ended, Leonard has scored now not lower than 29 points in every of the Clippers’ seven playoff games.
He is averaging 32.3 points per sport in the postseason.
Paul George contributed 19 points and seven rebounds and Marcus Morris Sr. added 18 points, converting 7 of 10 footage and 4 of 5 3-point makes an strive for the Clippers. Montrezl Harrell had 15 points and Lou Williams scored 10.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic had 15 points and Paul Millsap completed with 13 points, 9 rebounds and three steals. Jamal Murray, Jerami Grant and Monte Morris chipped in 12 points apiece for the Nuggets, who had accurate one rupture day after clinching their seven-sport series Tuesday in opposition to the Utah Jazz.
Sport 2 in the 2d-spherical series is Saturday.
The Clippers, who led by as worthy as 29 points, took management in the 2d quarter and buried the Nuggets in the third quarter. The held a 91-67 lead heading into the most effective quarter.
After Monte Morris transformed a pull-up jumper to tie the ranking at 36 lower than three minutes into the 2d quarter, the Clippers dilapidated a 33-15 surge for a 69-51 income at the rupture. Los Angeles outscored Denver 38-20 in the 2d quarter. Leonard scored 19 first-half points.
The Clippers made 63.4 p.c of their footage when put next with 42.9 p.c for the Nuggets in the first half. For the sport, the Clippers hit 57.1 p.c to 42.2 p.c for the Nuggets.
Clippers guard Patrick Beverley returned to action after missing the earlier five games with a strained calf. Beverley had eight points and 6 rebounds in 12 minutes.
—Discipline Level Media
