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Nuotr .: AFP – Scanpix
Nuotr. AFP – Scanpix
Impressive saved the Denver Nuggets again in the Western Conference finals.
Man of the match
Effective transfers
13
The team led by Nikola Jokičius and Jamalo Murray, who recovered for the second time in a row from the 1-3 streak, in the deciding match 104: 89 (24:24, 30:32, 28:18, 22:15) surprised the Los Angeles Clippers and reached the conference finals for the first time since 2009.
At the time, the team was still represented by Lithuanian Linas Kleiza, and Žalgiris’ former son Sonny Weems at the Colorado State Club was taking the first steps in his professional career.
Overall, this will be the team’s fourth final in the West in Nuggets history. For the place in the grand finale, Mike Malone’s students will compete with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets were also on the brink of the Western Conference quarterfinals, trailing 1-3 ahead of the Utah Jazz.
Clippers specialist Doc Rivers became the first NBA strategist to lose the series 3-1 more than once. The Orlando Magic, led by a strategist, blew that lead in 2003 with the Detroit Pistons, and in 2015, under his guidance, the Clippers capitulated in a duel with the Houston Rockets.
The pair of Jokičius and Murray recorded impressive statistics in the biggest game of the season.
The Serbian scored 16 points (5/13 shooting, 6/6 penalty), 22 rebounds and 13 assists. He hit a triple-double in the first three halves.
Murray’s count – 40 points (9/13 two, 6/13 trit, 4/4 penalty).
At the time, Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George looked extremely poor; they both made just 10 shots of 38 and scored 24 points.
Early in the third quarter, after Patrick Beverley realized a three-point lead, the Los Angeles team led 61:54, but immediately missed the Nuggets’ series of shots.
Jerami Grant hit from distance twice in a row, Jokičius – once, the Nuggets ran 12: 0 and weighed the score – 64:61. Since then, the Denver club has not taken the initiative off their hands.
With just over two minutes to go, the Nuggets’ lead after Murray’s 3-pointer and Grant’s pitch was crushed to 100: 80.
The five Nuggets starters scored as many as 90 of 104 points.
Clippers: Montrezl Harrell 20, Kawhi Leonard 14 (6/22 shots), Patrick Beverley (6 res.) And JaMychal Green 11 each, Paul George 10 (4/16 shots).
Nuggets: Yamal Murray 40 (15/26 pitches), Nikola Jokičius 16 (22 rebounds, 13 res.), Jerami Grant and Garry Harris 14 each.
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