Paul George Leads Clippers to Christmas Opt over Nuggets; Kawhi Leonard Injured
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
The Los Angeles Clippers realized their lesson from ideal season’s Western Convention Semifinals. They didn’t wreck any alternative to position the Denver Nuggets away on Christmas in a 121-108 road victory.
It used to be the Nuggets who stormed wait on from a 3-1 series deficit ideal postseason to set away with the Clippers in graceful vogue—a loss that shy Los Angeles all offseason because the rival Lakers properly-known one more title. It also used to be partly guilty for worn head coach Doc Rivers’ departure.
At the least on Friday, the personnel and first-365 days head coach Tyronn Lue didn’t let the Nuggets entire one more comeback.
The think strikes Los Angeles to 2-0 whereas Denver drops to 0-2 following a brutal additional time loss to the Sacramento Kings to begin the season.
Clippers diminutive forward Kawhi Leonard exited after an inadvertent elbow from teammate Serge Ibaka left him bloodied with six minutes left in regulations. He used to be quick ruled out for the leisure of the competition.
Indispensable Performers
Paul George, SG, Los Angeles Clippers: 23 capabilities, 9 assists, 5 rebounds
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Los Angeles Clippers: 21 capabilities, 7 assists, 5 rebounds
Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets: 24 capabilities, 10 assists, 9 rebounds
Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets: 23 capabilities, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Nuggets Comeback Falls Instant
It used to be beginning to in reality feel loads love the NBA bubble slack within the third quarter on Friday.
In each think towards the Clippers ideal postseason, the Nuggets began out with a double-digit deficit. So as Los Angeles observed its 24-level lead begin to shrink within the ideal body, there used to be undoubtedly trigger for pain—appropriate as there used to be a motive the Nuggets impulsively appeared so extremely effective all another time.
After struggling for many of the evening, level guard Jamal Murray lastly stumbled on his rhythm and began draining photos, pulling Denver within 11 capabilities on two cases. It used to be as close because the Nuggets would secure to graceful what’s quick changing into their Western Convention rival.
Yet Denver would maybe per chance per chance no longer maintain foremost to even strive one more comeback had Murray been ready to convert extra opportunities early on. The 23-365 days-passe used to be one-for-four from the floor with four capabilities at halftime and didn’t sink his second area aim until no longer as a lot as eight minutes to play within the third quarter. From there he went on a scoring blitz to invent nine-for-20 with four three-tips on the opposite hand it used to be too slack.
Even with Nikola Jokic coming with regards to a second-straight triple-double to begin the season, Denver foremost extra firepower within the first half to withhold tempo with the Clippers. As Michael Porter Jr. (10 capabilities) and Monte Morris (13 capabilities) worked to steadiness out the offense, the shortcoming of scoring from Murray used to be too noticeable.
ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson implored Murray to “secure up” on the published as his sloppy play began to price his personnel.
The Nuggets now discover themselves winless through two games. A slack begin from Murray to begin the evening has resulted in a tough begin for Denver as a entire.
George’s Sizzling Hand Leads Offense
Paul George didn’t need powerful time to secure going on Friday. He used to be firing from deep nearly as rapidly because the ball used to be tipped.
For the second game in a row, George knocked down five three-pointers and accomplished with 23 capabilities or extra. That he added one more nine assists showed how properly the unusual pieces are fitting in on the Clippers. Of the personnel’s 41 made area aims, 32 got right here on assists. That is efficiency Lue can work with and then some.
Nicolas Batum added 13 capabilities and 10 boards whereas Luke Kennard added one more eight capabilities and 6 rebounds himself. Some other 15 capabilities from Ibaka had Denver’s protection spread skinny.
It used to be the presence of L.A.’s newcomers that timid Nuggets head coach Michael Malone coming into the game.
Malone told ESPN sideline reporter Malika Andrews his personnel didn’t even search for movie from ideal 365 days’s playoff series on memoir of the Clippers personnel had changed so powerful.
In the discontinue, it used to be the a similar elite duo of George and Leonard that doomed Denver. The two combined for 44 capabilities and 16 assists. These numbers doubtless would maintain kept rising had Ibaka’s elbow no longer knocked Leonard out of the game.
Lue mentioned Leonard obtained eight stitches for a mouth laceration and “he will be magnificent.” Given how properly the Clippers played on Friday, that is liable to be the one real pattern of the day. With George and Leonard clicking, the Clippers are proving they would maybe per chance per chance no longer be pushed but again.
What’s Subsequent
The Clippers return house to face the Dallas Mavericks (0-2) on Sunday after Luka Doncic & Co. fell to the Lakers 138-115 in their Christmas matchup. Tipoff is made up our minds for 3: 30 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Denver, meanwhile, is made up our minds to face a Houston Rockets personnel that will maintain its season debut towards the Portland Plug Blazers on Saturday. The Nuggets and Rockets meet on Monday at 9 p.m. ET.