Arguably no team was hotter down the final stretch of the NBA regular season than the Los Angeles Clippers.
Going 18-3 since early March, Kawhi Leonard has quietly returned to being one of the more consistent scoring threats, James Harden is playing like he’s 10 years younger and role players have found their roles.
On the other end, the Denver Nuggets are lurking as a threat, albeit one undergoing something of a transition. The franchise stunningly fired former coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with three games left in the regular season, installing longtime assistant David Adelman as the interim. The Nuggets won all three of the games Adelman coached, including ones against the No. 2 seed Rockets and Grizzlies, who are still alive in the Play-In Tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets:
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets preview
How the Clippers will win: The matchup to watch will be how Ivica Zubac defends Nikola Jokić, the premier low-post threat in the NBA. If Zubac can at least frustrate Jokić, Denver’s offense could struggle to keep pace.
How the Nuggets will win: Though a small sample size, the Nuggets under Adelman have seen Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon take on more responsibility as cutters and slashers. Easing the pressure on Jokić to score should be a priority; when he excels most, his passing makes the game easier for his teammates.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets stat
- Over the last 15 games of the season, the Clippers finished with the best offensive rating, scoring 123.1 points per 100 possessions, the third-ranked defensive rating (108.2) and the top net rating (15.0).
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets player to watch
- Bogdan Bogdanović, Clippers: Acquired in February ahead of the trading deadline, Bogdanović has been a seamless fit on Los Angeles, providing spacing and shooting off the bench.
- Jamal Murray, Nuggets: It seems that the Nuggets go as Murray goes. When he struggles, their offense often does as a whole. But Murray has also starred in the postseason, often hitting clutch shots.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Clippers in five
- Heather Tucker: Nuggets in six
- James Williams: Clippers in six
- Jeff Zillgitt: Clippers in six
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets schedule
- Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets | Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. | TNT
- Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, April 24, TBD | NBA TV
- Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers | Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. | TNT
- Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
- Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
- Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets season series
The Clippers and Nuggets split the season series, with Los Angeles winning the first two matchups and Denver taking the final two.
- Oct. 26: Clippers 109, Nuggets 104
- Dec. 1: Clippers 126, Nuggets 122
- Dec. 13: Nuggets 120, Clippers 98
- Jan. 8: Nuggets 126, Clippers 103
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers vs. Nuggets NBA playoff preview: Prediction, Western schedule
Arguably no team was hotter down the final stretch of the NBA regular season than the Los Angeles Clippers.
Going 18-3 since early March, Kawhi Leonard has quietly returned to being one of the more consistent scoring threats, James Harden is playing like he’s 10 years younger and role players have found their roles.
On the other end, the Denver Nuggets are lurking as a threat, albeit one undergoing something of a transition. The franchise stunningly fired former coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with three games left in the regular season, installing longtime assistant David Adelman as the interim. The Nuggets won all three of the games Adelman coached, including ones against the No. 2 seed Rockets and Grizzlies, who are still alive in the Play-In Tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets:
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets preview
How the Clippers will win: The matchup to watch will be how Ivica Zubac defends Nikola Jokić, the premier low-post threat in the NBA. If Zubac can at least frustrate Jokić, Denver’s offense could struggle to keep pace.
How the Nuggets will win: Though a small sample size, the Nuggets under Adelman have seen Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon take on more responsibility as cutters and slashers. Easing the pressure on Jokić to score should be a priority; when he excels most, his passing makes the game easier for his teammates.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets stat
- Over the last 15 games of the season, the Clippers finished with the best offensive rating, scoring 123.1 points per 100 possessions, the third-ranked defensive rating (108.2) and the top net rating (15.0).
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets player to watch
- Bogdan Bogdanović, Clippers: Acquired in February ahead of the trading deadline, Bogdanović has been a seamless fit on Los Angeles, providing spacing and shooting off the bench.
- Jamal Murray, Nuggets: It seems that the Nuggets go as Murray goes. When he struggles, their offense often does as a whole. But Murray has also starred in the postseason, often hitting clutch shots.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Clippers in five
- Heather Tucker: Nuggets in six
- James Williams: Clippers in six
- Jeff Zillgitt: Clippers in six
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets schedule
- Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets | Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. | TNT
- Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, April 24, TBD | NBA TV
- Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers | Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. | TNT
- Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
- Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
- Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets season series
The Clippers and Nuggets split the season series, with Los Angeles winning the first two matchups and Denver taking the final two.
- Oct. 26: Clippers 109, Nuggets 104
- Dec. 1: Clippers 126, Nuggets 122
- Dec. 13: Nuggets 120, Clippers 98
- Jan. 8: Nuggets 126, Clippers 103
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers vs. Nuggets NBA playoff preview: Prediction, Western schedule
