NBA: Kawhi Leonard leads Clippers’ rout of Nuggets for series lead

Date:

Share post:


Kawhi Leonard recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and the Los Angeles Clippers took a 2-1 series lead with a convincing 117-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Inglewood, Calif.

James Harden had 20 points — all in the first half — to go with nine assists and six rebounds, while Norman Powell also scored 20 for the fifth-seeded Clippers. Ivica Zubac registered 19 points and nine rebounds as Los Angeles won its second straight in the best-of-seven, first-round series.

Denver star Nikola Jokic recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for his 20th career postseason triple-double. Jamal Murray also scored 23 points and Aaron Gordon added 15 points and seven rebounds for the fourth-seeded Nuggets.

“We got to build off of this,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. “It’s only two (victories). Today, I liked our approach and I like what we did defensively. It’s still going to be a tough series. It’s not over because we had a blowout. It’s only one (game). So we have to be ready to come out on Saturday.”

Game 4 is Saturday night on the Clippers’ home floor.

Russell Westbrook (left foot inflammation) sat out the second half for Denver.

The Clippers shot 48.2 percent from the field, including 18 of 39 from 3-point range. Nicolas Batum had 12 points and three blocked shots, and fellow reserve Derrick Jones Jr. had 10 points. Los Angeles held a 48-38 rebounding advantage.

Denver made 40.3 percent of its attempts and was 7 of 26 from behind the arc.

Harden and Batum each made three 3-pointers in the first half and Los Angeles was 12 of 22 from deep to hold a 65-47 halftime lead.

“We got a contribution from everybody,” said Harden. “Everybody made shots, we played as a team.”

Denver led 26-19 after Murray’s layup with 3:15 remaining in the first quarter.

The Clippers then ignited with a 23-2 run. They led 35-28 after the opening quarter and ended their spurt with seven straight points in the second quarter to lead by 14.

The Nuggets later moved within 50-40 on Westbrook’s 3-pointer with 6:23 left in the second quarter, before Los Angeles ripped off the next eight points to hold an 18-point advantage.

“We got what we deserved,” said Nuggets interim coach David Adelman. “We’ll reassess tonight, watch the film. … Bottom line: This was not good enough. This was not our standard in any way.”

A basket by Zubac early in the third quarter gave the Clippers a 72-50 lead. Powell, who scored 12 points in the third quarter, later converted a three-point play to make it 85-60 with 3:35 left in the period.

Denver used a 10-2 run to creep within 17 late in the third quarter. But Batum drilled a trey with 7.3 seconds left as the Clippers took a 90-70 lead into the final stanza.

The Nuggets scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles ended the game with a 14-1 burst to make the final score even more one-sided.

–Field Level Media

spot_img

Related articles

WNCAAB: 2024 WNBA draft pick Celeste Taylor joins Grand Canyon staff

Celeste Taylor, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, is joining the coaching staff at...

WNBA: Report: Aces players receive another $100K with investigation in limbo

Every player on the roster of the Las Vegas Aces will receive a $100,000 sponsorship fee, courtesy of...

WNBA: Paige Bueckers to miss another game as Storm welcome Wings

After an off day for the WNBA on Monday, the Commissioner's Cup continues Tuesday with the Dallas Wings...

WNBA: Lynx, pleased but not satisfied with 7-0 start, face Mercury

The Minnesota Lynx have won all seven of their games this season. Despite the team's perfect record, Lynx...

FREE

Get the most important breaking news and analyses for Free.

Thank you for subscribing

Something went wrong.