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INGLEWOOD — James Harden could not assist himself. Harden stirred the pot, after hitting certainly one of his mid-range photographs behind.
Stirring the pot, a gesture suggesting he was cooking on the court docket, was as a lot part of Harden’s sport as his mid-range jumpers earlier in his profession, one thing he was well-known for whereas with the Houston Rockets.
The three-time NBA scoring champion hasn’t made the transfer since becoming a member of the Clippers, placing it apart as he left Houston. Till Sunday.
With the Clippers holding a four-point lead with 1:07 left, Harden buried this 16-footer over Peyton Watson to increase the lead en path to a 126-122 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome.
Harden did not apologize, feigning ignorance of his antics. “I don’t know what you’re speaking about,” he joked.
Harden had each purpose to retire his previous transfer after scoring a game-high 39 factors on 6-of-15 3-point capturing and 10-of-26 total, just like the previous Harden.
“I really feel so much higher. My legs are beginning to – for an older man on this league, 16 years on this league, it takes me just a little longer to get acclimated, particularly (since) my function has modified,” mentioned Harden who ascended to the place of chief. after becoming a member of the Clippers. “I have not been on this function for 4 or 5 years, so it took me some time to get there.
“Sport after sport, I proceed to enhance. I am going to find yourself placing much more effectivity into it and fewer turnovers, however , at this level you simply discover methods to win video games.
And that is precisely what the Clippers needed to do with out Kawhi Leonard this season, who missed 22 video games with ongoing knee points.
The Clippers managed to win their eighth consecutive residence sport by doing the inconceivable: slowing down three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
“Attempting is the phrase,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “Man, I imply, it’s actually not one sided. You must attempt to present him completely different seems, and I am positive he is most likely seen nearly all the pieces within the guide.
The Clippers did greater than attempt on Sunday. Jokic had his assists and 27 factors, together with 13 rebounds, however the Clippers took over with sturdy protection and 18 3-pointers.
“I believed we did an excellent job of making an attempt to maintain his measurement, we tried to maintain (Ivica Zubac) on him, matching him minute by minute for essentially the most half after which taking away his threes,” mentioned Examine Jokic.
The commotion round Jokic could not overshadow the return of Powell, who missed the final six video games with a strained left hamstring. Powell, taking part in on a minutes restriction, completed with 28 factors in 24 minutes.
Powell scored the primary two baskets of the sport and saved rolling, hitting 9 of 17 photographs, together with 5 of 8 from 3-point vary, and completed with 28 factors.
“I believed he was just a little rusty when it got here to the paint and his layups,” Lue mentioned of Powell. “I believed his 3-point shot was good and because the sport went on he discovered his rhythm and acquired going.”
However it was Harden’s play that stood out. Whereas main the crew, he joined Stephen Curry as the one gamers to achieve 3,000 3-pointers.
“He’s been nice,” Lue mentioned. “Simply his management, having a tough coaching camp, doing all the pieces, simply making an attempt to get us prepared for this journey. He leads by instance, performs on daily basis, practices on daily basis. He hasn’t been capturing the ball like he is used to, however that is been taking place over the past 4 or 5 video games.
The Clippers wanted all of Harden’s factors to safe the season collection in opposition to Denver.
Forward, 115-113, Powell was fouled by Christian Braun with 2:24 left and made all three foul photographs to take a 118-113 lead.
After Jokic made certainly one of two foul photographs, Harden nailed his 16-foot leap shot to push the Clippers, 120-114.
Jamal Murray made it 120-116 on a leap shot, earlier than Terance Mann, seeing his first significant minutes in weeks, buried a 3-pointer from the left nook to increase the Clippers’ lead, 123-116 , with 1:07 left.
Braun rebounded Gordon’s missed 3-pointer and scored to make it 123-121. Clippers heart Ivica Zubac made 1 of two free throws with 12 seconds remaining for a 124-121 lead.
Jokic then missed certainly one of two foul photographs and Harden made each free throws with 9 seconds left to seal the series-clinching victory.
The Clippers knew they might discover a approach to fight Jokic’s all-around sport. Jokic scored 41 factors, however the Clippers restricted him to 5 assists and beat the Nuggets by 5 factors of their second sport of the season in Denver.
“However it’s exhausting to gradual him down as a result of for those who double him, he’s an important passer. For those who play one-on-one, he’s nice at capturing 3s and getting guys in hassle,” Lue mentioned. “So it’s a tricky cowl.”
Amir Coffey added 13 factors and 5 rebounds for the Clippers, whereas Terance Mann had 12 factors in 24 minutes.
Michael Porter Jr. added 18 factors for the Nuggets and Jamal Murray had 15. Aaron Gordon, who has been out the final 10 video games with a calf damage, got here off the bench and scored 10 factors.
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