The Clippers and Denver Nuggets put together to tip-off in Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. It was the primary NBA playoff sport ever on the crew’s glitzy new area. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers guard James Harden drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers middle Ivica Zubac appears to shoot as Denver Nuggets ahead Michael Porter Jr. defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers middle Ivica Zubac, proper, questions a name as Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon appears on through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden tries to steal the ball from Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue gestures from the sideline through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will get to the basket through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray handles the ball as Clippers ahead Derrick Jones Jr. defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, proper, tries to go whereas underneath strain from Clippers guard Ben Simmons, left, and ahead Nicolas Batum through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, proper, dunks as Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer cheers from his courtside seat through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden will get fouled by the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman gestures from the sideline through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Clippers on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers followers taunt Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots as Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, proper, defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, left, and Clippers middle Ivica Zubac battle for a possible rebound through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, prime, and Clippers middle Ivica Zubac battle for a possible rebound through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, middle, grabs the ball from Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, proper, through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, and middle Ivica Zubac rejoice after Harden scored and earned a three-point play alternative through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, proper, shoots as Clippers guard James Harden defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon, left, shoots as Clippers middle Ivica Zubac defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, left, shoots as Clippers middle Ivica Zubac (40) defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, second from left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, middle Nikola Jokic, second from left, and ahead Michael Porter Jr. defend through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon, backside, and Clippers middle Ivica Zubac (40) attain for a rebound through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon, left, celebrates with guard Christian Braun after scoring through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Clippers on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, proper, appears for a path round Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon, left, through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard drives previous the Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers guard James Harden, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, middle, and middle Nikola Jokic defend through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers ahead Nicolas Batum poses as he watches his 3-point shot go in through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, prime, shoots as Clippers guard Ben Simmons defends through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, middle, shoots as Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, left, and guard Russell Westbrook, proper, defend through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon, left, backs himself into Clippers guard Kris Dunn through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Patty Mills, left, and Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett attain for a unfastened ball through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers followers taunt the Denver Nuggets from “The Wall” through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
The Clippers’ Jordan Miller handles the ball because the Denver Nuggets’ Zeke Nnaji defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers middle Ivica Zubac, proper, shoots as Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, tries to shoot as Clippers guard Kris Dunn defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, proper, complains a couple of name to referee Ray Acosta through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, proper, shoots as Denver Nugget guard Christian Braun defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, middle, shoots as Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, left, and middle Ivica Zubac defend through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Kris Dunn, under, grabs a rebound away from Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers middle Ivica Zubac, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, middle, tries to shoot as Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, and ahead Nicolas Batum defend through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, proper, shoots as Clippers ahead Nicolas Batum defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell celebrates after scoring through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell celebrates after scoring through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets ahead Michael Porter Jr., proper, shoots as Clippers middle Ivica Zubac defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon, left, shoots as Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, left, gestures after scoring as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray appears on through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (10) greets ahead Kawhi Leonard as he walks off the court docket through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Denver Nuggets ahead Michael Porter Jr., proper, shoots as Clippers guard James Harden defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard James Harden, proper, is greeted by teammates as he exits the sport with a giant lead through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
The Denver Nuggets’ Julian Strawther, left, and the Clippers’ Cam Christie chase after a unfastened ball through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
The Denver Nuggets’ Julian Strawther passes the ball as Clippers ahead Derrick Jones Jr. defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers middle Ivica Zubac, proper, shoots as Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, prime, shoots as Clippers middle Ivica Zubac defends through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, shoots as Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic, second from left, and guard Julian Strawther defend through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, proper, gestures after scoring as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray walks away through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue talks with guard Bogdan Bogdanovic through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
The Clippers’ Drew Eubanks come down after dunking through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers ahead Derrick Jones Jr. gestures after making a 3-point shot through the second half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Actor Keven Costner smiles after he caught a T-shirt throughout a timeout in Recreation 3 of the Clippers’ first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Actor Kevin Costner enjoys through the first half of Recreation 3 of the Clippers’ first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
Clippers middle Ivica Zubac (40) and Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic tip-off through the first half of Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Singer Jelly Roll, middle, watches throughout from a courtside seat through the second half of Recreation 3 of the Clippers’ first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Clippers and Denver Nuggets put together to tip-off in Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence on Thursday evening, April 24, 2025, on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. It was the primary NBA playoff sport ever on the crew’s glitzy new area. (Photograph by David Crane, Los Angeles Each day Information/SCNG)
INGLEWOOD — Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has allowed himself at occasions to consider the what-ifs of previous postseasons, occasions when the Clippers got here up brief or didn’t qualify in any respect.
However, as he identified, that was then, and that is now the place the Denver Nuggets stand of their approach of advancing on this season’s Western Convention playoffs.
And the right here and now meant determining how the Clippers might play higher in Recreation 3 on Thursday evening than they did within the first two video games of their best-of-seven first-round sequence.
“We received to play higher. We’ve to play higher. That’s our mindset,” he had mentioned.
Lue didn’t have to attend lengthy to see whether or not the Clippers would elevate their sport in opposition to Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. The Clippers placed on a dominating show in a 117-83 victory in entrance of an energized, towel-waving sold-out crowd within the first postseason sport on the Intuit Dome.
“It was cracking. It was loud. It was simply how we anticipated it to be,” mentioned James Harden, the Clippers’ veteran level guard. “ what? That’s one of many the explanation why we jumped out to an enormous lead. I imply they received behind us and we simply rode that wave.”
After the primary two video games have been determined by a mixed complete of 5 factors, this was a surprising consequence. The blowout offers the Clippers a 2-1 edge within the sequence going into Recreation 4 on Saturday afternoon on the Intuit Dome.
It was the sort of efficiency Lue was in search of from his veteran-laden crew.
“That is what I used to be speaking about. The blokes performed higher,” Lue mentioned.
Lue then gave an help to the followers, calling their power unbelievable and “very thrilling. Our followers got here out, they confirmed up and confirmed out.”
But it surely wasn’t simply the followers who performed a giant position within the Clippers’ dominating victory over the Nuggets. Guard Norman Powell, who struggled to attain in Video games 1 and a couple of, got here away with 20 factors on 7-of-12 taking pictures, together with a 3-of-8 displaying from 3-point vary.
“Norm was enormous for us tonight in scoring the basketball but additionally making the proper play within the pick-and-roll, the blitzes and we received to construct off of it,” Lue mentioned.
Powell mentioned the turnaround was a matter of believing in his talents.
“My confidence by no means goes anyplace,” Powell mentioned. “It’s about being regular, trusting the work and I do know it’s all the time going to point out the period of time I’ve put into this sport on the court docket, off the court docket, mentally, bodily that’s what I do.
“It’s all psychological. It’s nearly staying even keeled and watching how one can enhance and making these changes.”
Whether or not it was the acquainted environment or the followers who cheered continuous, one thing energized the Clippers, who led by 20 factors within the second quarter and by as a lot as 25 earlier than the evening was over behind a balanced assault.
Along with Powell, Kawhi Leonard had 21 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Harden scored all of his 20 factors within the first half to go along with 9 assists and 6 rebounds.
Ivica Zubac added 19 factors on 8-of-12 taking pictures and grabbed 9 rebounds, whereas Nicolas Batum added 12 factors and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 10 as Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer clapped his arms and pumped his fist from a seat close to his crew’s bench.
But it surely was the Clippers’ perimeter protection that helped sluggish the Nuggets, who shot simply 7 for 25 from 3-point vary (28%). The Clippers have been 18 for 39 (46.2%) from lengthy vary, led by Batum, who was 4 for six. Harden, Leonard and Powell every made three 3-pointers.
The Clippers managed the boards, 48-38, and their bench outscored the Nuggets’ reserves, 31-6.
The Clippers stored Nuggets middle Jokic off kilter within the second quarter, however the three-time league MVP nonetheless posted his twentieth triple-double of the season with 23 factors, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
“He’s the perfect participant on this planet and he was baiting us early on within the first quarter the place we have been coming and he noticed us coming, however he acted like he didn’t and he was actually choosing us aside,” Lue mentioned. “And so in that second quarter on by, we did a great job of simply actually promoting out these nook cuts, sort of making an attempt to remain at house, particularly if Zu’s guarding him and simply sort of mixing it up.”
Jamaal Murray added 23 factors for the Nuggets.
“I like what we did defensively and it’s nonetheless going to be a troublesome sequence,” Lue mentioned. “It ain’t over. We had a blowout. It’s just one sport, so we received to be nice to come back and validate that on Saturday.”
The Clippers dug themselves right into a gap early as they struggled to seek out the basket, giving the gang little to cheer about.
However because the clock reached the ultimate two minutes of the primary quarter and the white towels started to whip across the area, Harden discovered his contact, scoring 11 of the ultimate 16 factors of the interval to present the Clippers a seven-point lead.
It was the sort of increase the Clippers wanted. They outscored the Nuggets 23-2 over the top of the primary quarter and the beginning of the second, driving that momentum to a 65-47 halftime lead.
Harden continued his first-half onslaught, and Batum added 9 factors on three 3-pointers because the Clippers held the Nuggets to 41.3% taking pictures (19 for 46) earlier than the intermission.
“The primary two video games have been very aggressive. This sport was not,” interim Nuggets coach David Adelman mentioned. “However you’ll be able to come again Saturday and you may proper lots of wrongs.”
Former Clippers level guard Russell Westbrook, who sparked the Nuggets to victory in Recreation 1, suffered a left foot damage within the second quarter and didn’t return.
Michael Porter Jr., who sprained his left shoulder late in Recreation 2, was restricted to seven factors and 6 rebounds.
