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Photo: AP-Scanpix
Kawhi Leonard once again demonstrated the best class, and the Los Angeles Clippers led by him were one step away from the Western Conference finals.
Man of the match
Doco Rivers students in the Orlando bubble 96:85 (26:12, 22:28, 25:23, 23:22) defeated the Denver Nuggets and led 3-1 in a four-win series. The fifth and potentially decisive meeting in the series will take place in the evening from Friday to Saturday at 1:00 p.m. 30 minutes. Lithuanian time.
Leonard scored 30 points in 38 minutes (8/18 doubles, 2/4 trits, 8/8 penalties), bounced 10 and took 4 balls, made 9 assists, blocked 2 pitches and made 2 errors.
“We still have a lot of work to do. We keep fighting,” Leonard didn’t say much after the victory and the great performance.
“I have no reaction. We haven’t done anything yet,” Clippers quarterback Doc Rivers said.
The Clippers took the initiative from the first minutes. Marcus Morris, Leonard and Paul George made a colon, Ivica Zubac charged from above and the Los Angeles team began the duel by winning the stage 20: 7.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams noticed the free throws and the Clippers’ lead became overwhelming: 32:14. Still, the Nuggets basketball players reduced their gap to 8 points (40:48) even before the long break.
The Nuggets started the third quarter better. Gary Harris and Nikola Jokičius scored from a long shot, Paul Millsap scored both penalties and the result was the same: 48:48.
However, the Clippers responded with another impulse. Landry Shamet scored three points, Leonard scored 5 straight points, Williams charged from the top and the Los Angeles team accelerated 14: 2 and broke the 16-point lead by 69:53.
The Nuggets still tried to keep up with the game, but George made two long shots in a row, and the Clippers started the fourth quarter winning 13: 4 and trailing by 19 points (86:67) and the game was clear.
The Nuggets already pitted 1-3 in the previous series with the Utah Jazz, but the boss of the Nuggets. Coach Michael Malone made no secret that it would not be easy to repeat such an achievement.
“It just came to our attention then. Very talented and deep team. Still, I think we have enough confidence as a team, especially when they are releasing us all,” said the specialist.
Jokičius was the best player for the Nuggets. The Serbian scored 26 points in 39 minutes (9/16 double, 2/7 trit., 2/2 penalty), bounced 11 balls, made 6 assists, blocked the shot and made 3 errors.
Clippers strategist Rivers did not spare the rival midfielder.
“I don’t know if it could be compared to anything. It has it all little by little. His work and leg movements are reminiscent of Hakeem Olajuwon, and his understanding of the game is Kevin McHale. Man, he’s a good player.
I think it’s the highest ball pass I’ve ever seen. It is very good and we shake hands when we see the images, “said the specialist about the Serbian.
Nuggets: Nikola Jokičius 26 (duel 9/16, 11 rebounds, 6 res.), Jamalas Murray 18 (double 4/12, 7 res.), Michael Porter 15 (3/4 trit.), Gary Harris 10.
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard 30 (d.8/18, 11th rec., 9 res.), Montrezl Harrell 15 (6/8 d.), Lou Williams 12 (3/8 d.), Michael Morris (3/5 trit.) and Ivica Zubac (4/9 di., 9 rev. Cam.), Paul George 10 (2/4 di., 2/6 trit.).
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