Game Recap
The Los Angeles Clippers dominated the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their first-round series, winning 117-83 and taking a 2-1 lead. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden and Norman Powell added 20 points apiece.
Clippers’ Dominant Performance
The game was played at the new Intuit Dome, where the Clippers’ superfans, sitting in The Wall section closest to Denver’s bench, wore horse hats mocking Nikola Jokic’s love of animals. The Clippers’ energetic crowd and strong performance on the court made for a memorable night. "It was crackin,’ it was loud. Just how I expected it to be," Harden said. "That’s one of the reasons why we jumped out to a huge lead."
Nuggets’ Struggles
After the teams split the first two games in Denver, this one wasn’t close after the first quarter. Both teams cleared their benches in the final 4 1/2 minutes. "The first two games were very competitive. This game was not," interim Nuggets coach David Adelman said. "But you can come back Saturday and you can right a lot of wrongs." Jokic led the Nuggets with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists for his second triple-double of the series. Jamal Murray also had 23 points.
Key Statistics
The Clippers outscored the Nuggets 23-2 over the end of the first quarter and start of the second, with Harden scoring 11 points. The Clippers hit 18 3-pointers to seven for Denver and controlled the boards, 48-38. Their bench outscored the Nuggets’ reserves, 31-6. Murray and Jokic combined to score 16 points in the third, when the Nuggets trailed 90-70.
Injury Update
Denver’s Russell Westbrook left the game with left foot inflammation in the second half. Michael Porter Jr., who sprained his left shoulder in Game 2, was limited to seven points and six rebounds.
Looking Ahead
Game 4 is Saturday at the Intuit Dome. The Clippers will look to build on their dominant performance, while the Nuggets will aim to bounce back and even the series. "Everybody contributed. It was a great game for us all," Leonard said. "Denver’s a great team. They’ve been here before. We got to still stay focused and play together and come out with a great mindset Saturday."
Conclusion
The Clippers’ impressive win in Game 3 has given them a 2-1 lead in the series. With their strong performance and energetic crowd, they will look to take a commanding lead in Game 4. The Nuggets, however, are a resilient team and will aim to bounce back and even the series.
FAQs
- What is the current series score between the Clippers and Nuggets? The Clippers lead the series 2-1.
- Who led the Clippers in scoring in Game 3? Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 21 points.
- What is the status of Russell Westbrook’s injury? Russell Westbrook left the game with left foot inflammation in the second half.
- When is Game 4 of the series? Game 4 is Saturday at the Intuit Dome.
