The Los Angeles Clippers put on a strong offensive performance to defeat the Denver Nuggets 117-83 in Game three of their first-round series. This game marks the first-ever NBA playoff game at the Intuit Dome.
Ball movement and physicality helped the Clippers in the matchup. They extended possessions, making 20 second chance points while the Nuggets had seven.
Forward Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He was one of three Clippers players who scored at least 20 points.
Los Angeles also scored 16 points from the 16 turnovers Denver made. Guard James Harden talked about the impact of their defensive effort.
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“We’ve been that way all year long. Like that’s our calling. We wouldn’t even be in the postseason if it wasn’t our defense,” Harden said. “I know like going into the games, no matter what happens offensively, that we gotta be on point defensively. That’s what keeps us in the game.”
Center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray scored 23 points each for Denver. Jokic made his second triple-double of the series, making 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
The Clippers now have a 2-1 lead in the series. Murray mentioned how he leans on his teammates when making adjustments. The Nuggets core players were with the franchise during their championship run in 2023.
“Having being in that situation with them, figuring out all the different challenges with them, I think that’s super key,” Murray said. “I think for next game it’s going to be even more important for us depending on that and have an open conversation on what we want to do.”
Guard Norman Powell shot at 58.3 percent from the field, ultimately scoring 20 points.
“Our fans were unbelievable tonight and being able to come home and play our first home game in the Intuit Dome was very exciting,” said Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue. “[Powell] was huge for us tonight scoring the basketball but also making the right play in the pick and roll versus the blitzes.”
The Clippers struck first, scoring 12 three-pointers in the first half. Denver was competitive in the early minutes but only scored under 20 points in both the second and fourth quarters.
Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman noted how the team needs to improve its physicality.
“Defensively, they got into us. They pushed us off our spots and we didn’t respond well to it,” said Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman. “We have to understand on Saturday, it’s going to be just as physical.”
While Leonard and Harden are known threats, Murray noted how Clippers forward Nicolas Batum was another player that gave the Nuggets problems.
“He’s shooting no-dip threes and spacing really well, full-court press,” Murray said. “His activity, his IQ, he’s been doing a really good job and we got to take that away.”
Batum secured three blocks in the matchup, contributing to eight team blocks. He came off the bench to score 12 points.
The Clippers battle the Nuggets in Game four on April 26 at 3:00P.M.
