Clippers suffer elimination in Game 7 as James Harden falters, allowing Nuggets to secure their victory in a rout
In the heat of Game 7, the Denver Nuggets smashed the Clippers with a crushing 120-101 victory, ridding Los Angeles from the playoffs in the most devastating manner. This grueling showdown was a test of grit and determination, with the Nuggets coming out on top, thanks to a slew of factors that left the Clippers reeling.
Tyronn Lue, the coach of the Clippers, has a suspiciously immaculate record in Game 7s, a run he attributes to his players' undeniable talent. Yet, on this fateful evening, his powerhouse squad, featuring stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, fell flat amidst the Nuggets' relentless onslaught.
The game started promisingly for the Clippers. Their stifling defense disrupted Denver's rhythm in the first quarter, holding the Nuggets to a mere 21 points. However, the Clippers' offense stumbled in the second quarter, allowing Denver to claw back, and the damage was done by the time the fourth quarter rolled around.
The second and third quarters were Denver's time to shine. The Nuggets outscored the Clippers by a staggering 32 points in these two quarters, culminating in a 35-point advantage that left no room for hope. The onslaught was led by Aaron Gordon, who put up a whopping 22 points, while Christian Braun and Nikola Jokic contributed with 21 and 16 points, respectively.
Playing at home certainly worked to the Nuggets' advantage. With the home crowd and the high altitude of Ball Arena, the Nuggets seemed extra energized, providing them with an edge throughout the game. This electrifying atmosphere seemed to be too much for the Clippers to handle, as they struggled to keep up both offensively and defensively.
The Clippers' hopes hinged on the shoulders of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, but the duo fell short, with Harden scoring a paltry 7 points and Leonard only managing 22. The rest of the team struggled to make an impact, with key players like Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum failing to secure decisive points. In the end, the Nuggets' relentless attack and the Clippers' lackluster performance proved to be the difference-maker.
The 2024-25 season is now closed for the Clippers, who will undoubtedly be reflecting on what might have been. For the Nuggets, however, the battle continues as they prepare to face Oklahoma City in the next round. Good luck, Nuggets; you've got a tough fight ahead!
Sources:1. https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/4014232342. https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/04/25/nba-clippers-vs-nuggets-game-7-bets-odds-predictions-ahead-of-denver/3. https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/clippers-vs-nuggets-game-7-denver-04-25-2023-recap4. https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nuggets-smother-clippers-in-game-7-to-advance-to-second-round/5. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nuggets-beat-clippers-jokic-gordon-lead-game-7-win/15uw74m2a8e311l9g1g93b5qdj/
In the next season, the Clippers will be analyzing their Game 7 performance against the Denver Nuggets, particularly the lackluster showings of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, who scored 7 and 22 points respectively. The game was a challenging one for the Clippers, with the Nuggets exploiting the home advantage at Ball Arena, outscoring them by 32 points in the second and third quarters. The Clippers' defensive strategy, which initially disrupted the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter, faltered in the subsequent quarters, enabling the Nuggets to secure a crushing 120-101 victory, thus forcing the Clippers out of the NBA playoffs. The Clippers' coach, Tyronn Lue, will ponder over his team's performance, given his usually impressive record in Game 7s. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will prepare to face Oklahoma City in the upcoming round, buoyed by their successful display of grit and determination.
