Game two of the Western Conference first round has the Nuggets and the Clippers back in action after an unforgettable game one. Ending in overtime by just two points, the Nuggets pulled off an amazing comeback to snatch the victory from the Clippers. This game showed just how evenly matched these teams are, promising that this matchup will be another exciting game between two of the best teams in the West.
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Aaron Gordon Probable
The Clippers were right on the verge of taking game one, holding the lead for most of it until the final buzzer. In a surprising turn, the Nuggets made a late comeback, ultimately tying the game and then clinching it by two points in overtime. This was a game the Clippers were expected to win, but the grit and determination from Denver were just enough to turn the tide. As we look ahead to game two, expect more excitement from both teams!
In this match, Russell Westbrook played a dual role—both as the hero and the villain. He hit a few clutch shots that helped bring Denver back into the game, including a huge three-pointer and a crucial put-back. While Westbrook has had his share of controversies during his time in Denver, there’s no doubt that the Nuggets would have faced a tough start to this series without him.
As for the rest of the Nuggets, they performed decently overall. While their shooting percentages in game one weren’t remarkable, they managed to make up for it at the free-throw line. It’s always best not to rely solely on the referees for points, but the 11 extra free-throw attempts compared to the Clippers certainly played a big role in their victory. With game two taking place in Denver, we can expect the Nuggets to continue enjoying a friendly whistle, but they’ll need to tidy up a few things, too.
Improving their three-point shooting is essential, as 33% from beyond the arc isn’t going to secure many wins. Michael Porter Jr. particularly struggled, logging only 26 minutes compared to the other starters, who all played 45+ minutes. When he’s not hitting his shots, it’s hard to justify his time on the court, which opened up more opportunities for Westbrook. However, Westbrook doesn't help the shooting issues either, and the Nuggets will need MPJ to elevate his scoring to remain competitive.
For the Clippers, there’s not much more to ask from this talented group. They shot well, played solid defense, and the main areas to improve would be the turnovers and fouls. With 20 turnovers and 25 fouls, they were a bit sloppy for a veteran squad. Kawhi alone had seven turnovers, which didn’t help. If the Clippers can maintain their defensive intensity while reducing turnovers, they’ll be in a fantastic position tonight. Even if they can’t lower their foul count.
Overall, game two will hinge on adjustments. Will we see less of MPJ in favor of more Westbrook, or will coach Adelman call on someone else like Nija? If the Nuggets lean towards Westbrook, how will that impact the Clippers? Can they take advantage of the Nuggets smaller lineup? We’ll find out tonight! Personally, I’m leaning towards the Clippers. They looked impressive in game one and seemed to have control for most of the match. If they can reduce their turnovers and better utilize their size advantage, I could definitely see them stealing game two in Denver!
Money line: LAC (-118) / DEN (-102)
Total Points: 217.5
Spread: -1 LAC (-112) / +1 DEN (-108)
The Clippers showcased their strength in most of game one! While there were a few moments when scoring proved a bit challenging, overall, they'll have a great shot at winning if they can have a similar performance tonight. If they can minimize sending Denver to the free-throw line and maintain their efficient shooting, they should be able to take this one.
The defense of the Clippers makes me love the under tonight. They are suffocating at most positions, affecting Denver’s scoring, especially their jump shooting. With the Nuggets forced into the paint more, I doubt these teams will hit the 218 mark. They only managed to cross over by 5 points because the game went into OT. Unless one or both sides are shooting at a high rate from three, or we have a 40+ free-throw game, the under looks very secure here.
This spread is one you might want to overlook. With just 1 point, there really isn't much to dive into. Instead, focus on the moneyline, and don’t stress too much about a one-point spread.
Jokic is going to need some help in this game. He played 46 minutes in the overtime victory and scored 29 points, but every point was a battle. He faced Zubac, who has the size to get physical with Jokic, and the sheer number of solid defenders on the Clippers roster makes reaching 28 points a challenge. Of course, Jokic is one of the best scorers in the world, but without those late free throws in OT, he would have missed this line. I’m taking the under, assuming we’ll have another tightly guarded game without extra time tonight.
Zubac continues to dominate in the post, grabbing heaps of rebounds every night. He barely surpassed the 13 boards mark in overtime during game one. However, he has been such a rock-solid rebounder that he is likely to play another 35+ minute game. If he avoids foul trouble, which he is skilled at, and stays in the game that long, 13 rebounds are well within reach!
Ball movement has been key to the Clippers' success late this year. Harden has excelled at moving the ball, setting up Zubac for dunks or feeding it to Powell for three-pointers. More importantly, this group has been hitting their shots consistently. They shot 50% from the field and 36% from three, which is more than respectable for a playoff game. If they can maintain this efficiency, 10 assists for Harden should be achievable.
Murray was up and down in game one, but he’s still struggling to score efficiently. It doesn’t help that the Clippers are brimming with good defenders to toss at him. Their list of point-of-attack defenders is deep, featuring Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, Nicolas Batum, Kawhi, and Norman Powell. Switching isn’t much of an option when most of the starting lineup can give Murray trouble. With Murray racking up three turnovers in the first game and this line having solid plus odds, it feels like a great take considering the level of defense Murray will face again tonight.