We can only hope Zaza Pachulia gets his royalty checks whenever this double-platinum basketball banger is evoked. All together: “Nothing easy! Game 7!”
How to watch LA Clippers at Denver Nuggets
Clippers at Nuggets Game 7
Series tied 3-3
Game 7s are categorically awesome, and Game 7s specifically between the fourth and fifth seeds feel as close as things can get. This series with the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets has delivered on every front — the overtime finish in Game 1, the buzzer-beating walk-off dunk in Game 4, and archetypal superstar offerings from Nikola Jokić and Kawhi Leonard all throughout.
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We got a Playoff Jamal Murray event horizon (43 points in Game 5), and several duality of Russell Westbrook moments. There have been squabbles and unexpected heroics (Nicolas Batum with six assists, two steals and three blocks off the bench in Game 6). Both sides can stake a claim as the better team, and few folks outside the respective fan bases want this matchup to end.
Even on the road in the high altitude, LA has to like the way it is playing at large. Through six games, Ty Lue’s Clips are better in offensive and defensive ratings, turnover percentage and effective shooting. After a half-decade of unfortunate injuries and the still-strange collapse in the bubble, Leonard at last looks like his two-time Finals MVP self. He’s averaging more than 25 points per game on nearly 55 percent shooting, with boosted assist rates and the best defensive rebounding percentage on the team.
Elsewhere, Batum and Kris Dunn have been momentum-seizers on defense, and Ivica Zubac has played the best basketball of his life against the incumbent MVP. James Harden’s chronic postseason underperformance is well-documented throughout his career, but an efficient 28/6/8 line helped save Game 6 (and he did it with one minute of rest). Norman Powell has scored at least 20 in three of his last four, and his third-quarter heat-check on Thursday was mesmerizing.
Perhaps Denver has a bit less to lose, considering the core of Jokić, Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. already have their Larry O’Brien Trophy. Maybe they feel extra pressure in light of a suddenly-fired coach and unceremoniously-canned GM. Each curdled playoff bid with Jokić takes on extra gravity now that the singular star is in his 30s.
The Nuggets shot well enough to win on Thursday and call off the party in six games. They made more tries than they missed, and finished above 40 percent from behind the arc. But Denver shot a total of nine free throws (LA took 15) and coughed up 12 turnovers to the hosts’ seven.
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Saturday night’s winner takes on the historically-good Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s the toughest draw in the Western Conference, but it’s also far preferable to an early exit and awkward elimination-game denouement.
Expert picks
On this day (May 3) in NBA Playoffs History
- The No. 8 Golden State Warriors knocked off Dirk Nowitzki’s top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in Oakland. “We Believe,” indeed.
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Nikola Jokić and Kawhi Leonard: Harry How / Getty Images)
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