The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in an overtime thriller, marking a spectacular start to their playoff series. Despite falling behind by as much as 15 points in the first half, the Nuggets rallied to outscore the Clippers in each of the four quarters and overtime.
While Jokic didn't score in overtime, the combined efforts of Westbrook, Gordon, Murray, and Braun proved instrumental in securing the win. The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (22 points), Ivica Zubac (21 points, 13 rebounds), and James Harden (32 points, 11 assists) put up a strong fight, but ultimately fell short.
Interim coach David Adelman, undefeated at 4-0 since replacing Michael Malone, praised his team's ability to stay connected during difficult moments. He employed a strategy of playing the best performers at the end of games, which proved effective. Adelman's father, Rick Adelman, a veteran NBA coach, was present and expressed his pride in his son's performance.
The article concludes that this is just the beginning of the series, suggesting that while the Nuggets started strong, the Clippers remain a formidable opponent.
In a spine-tingling, breath-taking, heart-pounding phenomenon playoff performance, the Nuggets ultimately were pure gold Saturday.
Nugs got the win at The Ball over the Clippers in overtime in Game 1, 112-110.
It was a spectacular series start.
Could the Cardiac Comebackers defeat Los Angeles NBA teams for the fourth consecutive time since the Bubble burst for the Clippers in 2020? The Nuggets rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Clippers then and beat the other team from L.A., the Lakers, in back-to-back postseasons in ’23 (4-1), Denver’s championship year, and ’24 (4-3).
For a while Saturday, the Nuggets seemed listless and lethargic, falling behind the Clippers by as much as 15 in the not-so-grand opening half. But the Nuggets clipped the lead to 35-27 and would outscore the Clippers over four periods, including the overtime, 22-18, 23-22, 26-23 and 14-12.
The Nuggets’ players, interim coach David Adelman said, “stayed connected during tough times.”
The only losers beyond the Clippers were those who bet on the Nuggets to win by 2½-3½ points. Nikola’s two made free throws, after he uncharacteristically had missed his previous pair, gave the Nuggets an insurmountable 5-point advantage with 6.1 seconds remaining, yet Norman Powell hit a worthless three-pointer at the last second cutting the difference to two.
But back to the hometown heroes.
The Joker was in the middle of everything, as always, with 29 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds — just shy of a triple double. He may not end up being the league’s MVP for a fourth season (and the Finals MVP once), but he’ll be No. 1 hereabouts again. Oddly enough, though, except for the foul shots, Jokic didn’t score a point in the five bonus minutes.
He got help. Four other Nuggets were shooting stars, defensive demons and rebounding rascals, especially late in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
Start with Russell Westbrook, who can be reminiscent of poet Henry Longfellow’s girl with the curl who, when she was good was exceptionally good, and when she was bad, she was horrid. He taketh, and he giveth away. Westbrook — who spent the past three seasons with the Lakers then the Clippers before he was literally run out of town — wasn’t a starter Saturday, but he surely was a finisher.
Adelman, who is undefeated at 4-0 after replacing Michael Malone, has said he will play whoever is playing best at the end of games. Westbrook entered the game with 5:48 left in the third quarter and never left. He missed gimme shots and three-pointers and a free throw, but he rebounded (8), defended, played with determination against his former teammates, and converted a critical three-point rainbow.
Aaron “Flash” Gordon had 25 points, including a terrific trey, and eight rebounds, including two on the offensive boards in overtime.
Like a vampire in the night, Jamal Murray transforms to a victor in the playoffs. He slapped the ball away and from Kawhi Leonard when the Clippers were in a prime position to prevail. Murray produced 21 points, played in 48 minutes of the 53 despite being gimpy briefly, and grabbed eight rebounds.
Christian Braun almost was the forgotten man for much of the afternoon before he scored after two steals, then came up large, saving a ball about to go out of bounds, and extra-large with 59 seconds to go in OT with a three-pointer to give the Nuggets the lead for good for the 20,000 witnesses.
Five guys and a victory.
Michael Porter Jr. and Peyton Watson provided virtually nothing as Adelman kept four of his starters on the court for 45 minutes-plus and Westbrook for 34. His dad, Rick Adelman, who coached NBA teams in 157 playoff games, was watching and beaming with pride. Son David brought the Nuggets from a 49-34 deficit with 5:55 on the clock in the second quarter. The Nuggets suddenly began to play logical defense and work more rationally together on offense until Murray tied the Clippers at 81 and Westbrook put the Nuggets ahead at 93-92. Regulation ended at 98.
Clippers Kawhi Leonard (22 points), Ivica Zubac (21 and 13 rebounds) and mostly James Harden (32 with 11 assists) didn’t let go until the end. This is just the beginning.
But the Nuggets were Bravehearts Saturday.
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