The Denver Nuggets have advanced to the Western Conference Finals after getting back from a 3-1 hole against the favorite Los Angeles Clippers. The Denver Nuggets made history with another 3-1 series comeback after defeating the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers in the same year. The Nuggets were on the brink of elimination 6 times, but they fought out of it, going 6-0 in elimination games. The Nuggets will now face the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. The game finished with a score of 104-89.
As I have said before whenever Jamal Murray plays well the Nuggets always win. Murray finished with a 40 point outing, starting the game red hot. Don't take anything away from Nikola Jokic though he had a sensational game with a triple double with 16 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 assists to finish the game. Jokic is always consistent and plays really good consistently, watching him play reminded me of Dirk Nowitzki on that 2011 Championship run. When combined they are one of the deadliest duos in the NBA right now.
From the last 3 games, Denver erased double digit leads of the Clippers, that's why some are saying they choked!
The Game started out with the Clippers having a double digit lead in the first half. While I was watching, I said to myself this is the same story again, Clippers lead big in the first half then Denver comeback in the Second Half. It was different this time, the Clippers were up in double digits during the first half, but the Nuggets were able to comeback right after ending the first half down by just 2.
At the start of the second half the Clippers started hot as they led 61-54 after just 2 minutes. The Nuggets then tookover from there outscoring the Clippers by 10 points in the third quarter 28 to 18. The worst then came for the Clippers when they can't even hit a field goal in the 4th quarter, anything they put up didn't go down. To put it simply the 2 stars of the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George only combined for 24 points in this game. The Nuggets destroyed the Clippers in the second half outscoring them 50-33.
The Clippers will be looking back with disappointment on this Playoff run after blowing double digit leads while 1 win away from advancing. A lot of questions need to be answered, this coming offseason. Trade some pieces and improve on some areas, or the team just needs more time to get to know each other and improve with their chemistry.
Silencing the Critics
The Denver Nuggets silenced a lot of critics out there with this historic win, after their loss in Game 1. Charles Barkley predicted that it will be a sweep for the Clippers. One of those critics was me, but I predicted this series to go the distance 7 games, with the eventual winner the Clippers to setup the Battle of LA as everyone is anticipating. With this run that Denver had, they have that hunger and desire, on the brink of elimination for 6 games they pulled through.
Last Thoughts and Predictions
The next match up will be against the Lakers. This will be an intriguing match up. The Lakers have more bigs that can matchup with Nikola Jokic with Anthony Davis which will really be an exciting matchup, and will certainly be the matchup to be watched. Also another matchup to be anticipated will be if the guards of the Lakers will be able to stop Jamal Murray.
I will predict the series to go the distance also might go to 7 games, and the Lakers winning it. One note though the Nuggets might prove me wrong again, 2 times in a row now, after predicting the Jazz and the Clippers to win!
How about you who do you think will win the Western Conference Finals? What do you think the Clippers should do this off season? Leave your predictions and let's discuss on the comments section below.