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The Clippers dropped a 112-110 additional time sport to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Ball Area to open the playoffs.
They’re down 1-0 within the best-of-seven collection as a result of Russell Westbrook was as a menace towards his former crew and provided the Nuggets with the power and massive performs they wanted to get the win.
Westbrook’s final large play was knocking the ball off of James Harden’s hand with 9.6 seconds left within the additional time.
Nikola Jokic made two free throws for a 112-107 lead with 6.5 seconds remaining that sealed the victory.
We’re in fine condition,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “We simply obtained to do what we’re presupposed to do and what we talked about. We will’t flip the ball over 20 occasions…We simply obtained to be higher with our execution. I feel defensively understanding what we’re doing after which offensively understanding how we wish to assault them.”
Jokic completed with 29 factors, 12 assists and 9 rebounds.
Learn extra: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard still has 'love' for the game of basketball
Harden led the Clippers with 32 factors and 11 assists.
Westbrook had 15 factors, together with two large threes, and eight rebounds and two steals.
The Clippers turned the ball over 20 occasions.
Jokic not solely picked up his fourth foul by getting a double-foul with Ben Simmons within the fourth, he was additionally hit with a technical foul with 6:41 left.
Jokic felt he was struck within the face by Derrick Jones Jr., knocking him to the courtroom. However no foul was known as, drawing the ire of Jokic towards an official who issued the technical foul in a sport that was getting tense and tighter because it went alongside.
Then with 1:27 left and the Nuggets main by one, Jokic obtained an offensive rebound and was fouled however he missed each free throws, leaving the Clippers down 95-94.
The Clippers took benefit when Ivica Zubac scored on a goaltending name on Aaron Gordon, giving the Clippers a 96-95 lead with 1:11 left.
However the Clippers turned the ball over after Kawhi Leonard had it bounce off his hip with 33.5 seconds left and the Clippers nonetheless up by one.
The Nuggets known as a timeout to name an essential play after the Clippers’ problem was unsuccessful.
Jokic, unafraid to make the suitable go, and Westbrook, unafraid to take the massive shot, mixed to make the play. Jokic hit Westbrook within the nook for a three-pointer and a 98-96 Nuggets lead with 23.4 seconds left.
However Harden drove inside for a floater to tie the rating at 98-98 with 18.7 seconds left.
That left the ball in Denver’s palms for the ultimate shot.
However the Clippers performed nice protection and ultimately Westbrook supposed to place up the ball however couldn’t get off a shot, sending the sport into OT tied 98-98.
Harden picked up his fourth foul with 9 minutes and 10 seconds left within the third quarter, however performed all 12 minutes within the quarter. Harden didn’t choose up one other one earlier than it was over.
Alongside the best way on this sport, Harden established himself as one of many NBA’s playoff greats.
He has scored (3,796) profession factors within the postseason, pushing him previous John Havlicek for sole possession of 14th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff factors checklist. Harden has (1,072) assists within the postseason, pushing him previous Larry Hen for sole possession of eighth place on the all-time playoff assists checklist.
When Harden picked up his second foul with 4:55 left within the first quarter, the Clippers had a choice to make. They left him within the sport and he instantly attacked with three consecutive drives to the basket — one turning right into a three-point play — leading to an early 12-point lead for the Clippers.
Harden didn’t waver in his play, staying aggressive the remainder of the best way in enjoying all 12 minutes within the first, ending it off with a three-pointer on the buzzer that gave him 15 factors on six-for-11 taking pictures.
Harden’s play appeared to ignite the Clippers, as they constructed a 15-point lead within the second quarter.
However the Clippers obtained sloppy with the basketball because the quarter continued, turning it over eight occasions within the second, resulting in the Nuggets trimming L.A.’s result in 53-49 on the half.
By the tip of the third quarter, the sport was nonetheless shut.
However the Clippers nonetheless had the lead at 75-72.
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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
