All eyes in the NBA world will be on the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers on Saturday. Two Game 7s headline this weekend’s playoff slate. Not a bad compromise from the last two weekends’ all-day marathons as the league prepares to move on to Round 2.
Expect the Oklahoma City Thunder to pay extra attention. They’ve been off for a week after they swept the Memphis Grizzlies in their Round 1 series. As their patience wears thin, the first-seed will finally learn who they will host for Game 1 on Monday.
After a subpar Round 1 series, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander must be better from here on out. The competition level will only upgrade for the rest of the NBA playoffs. The Thunder survived the Grizzlies, but will need the probable MVP winner to return to his efficient 30-plus point form.
Gilgeous-Alexander has kept an eye on the Nuggets and Clippers. It’s been one of the best Round 1 playoff series as the West titans fight it out. Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard must bring their A-game in Game 7 to avoid elimination in the do-or-die situation.
“I am (watching) as much as I can. We’ve seen both teams four times this year. Kinda got a pretty good feel knowing what they bring to the table, what challenges they present,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Both of those teams are obviously really good basketball teams.”
Even though the Thunder will enter their Round 2 series as the likely favorite, don’t expect them to cruise into another sweep. The Clippers have been one of the best teams since the All-Star break as Leonard knocked out any rust. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have the NBA’s best player and will always have a puncher’s chance because of him.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander previews Clippers-Nuggets Game 7
All eyes in the NBA world will be on the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers on Saturday. Two Game 7s headline this weekend’s playoff slate. Not a bad compromise from the last two weekends’ all-day marathons as the league prepares to move on to Round 2.
Expect the Oklahoma City Thunder to pay extra attention. They’ve been off for a week after they swept the Memphis Grizzlies in their Round 1 series. As their patience wears thin, the first-seed will finally learn who they will host for Game 1 on Monday.
After a subpar Round 1 series, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander must be better from here on out. The competition level will only upgrade for the rest of the NBA playoffs. The Thunder survived the Grizzlies, but will need the probable MVP winner to return to his efficient 30-plus point form.
Gilgeous-Alexander has kept an eye on the Nuggets and Clippers. It’s been one of the best Round 1 playoff series as the West titans fight it out. Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard must bring their A-game in Game 7 to avoid elimination in the do-or-die situation.
“I am (watching) as much as I can. We’ve seen both teams four times this year. Kinda got a pretty good feel knowing what they bring to the table, what challenges they present,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Both of those teams are obviously really good basketball teams.”
Even though the Thunder will enter their Round 2 series as the likely favorite, don’t expect them to cruise into another sweep. The Clippers have been one of the best teams since the All-Star break as Leonard knocked out any rust. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have the NBA’s best player and will always have a puncher’s chance because of him.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander previews Clippers-Nuggets Game 7
