Whicker: The Nuggets dazzle, but the Clippers grind their way to Game 3 success

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Landry Shamet (20) defends as Denver Nuggets’ Jerami Grant (9) takes a shot during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Reggie Jackson, left, defends as Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) looks for help during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Sound
    The gallery will resume inseconds

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers disputes a call during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) tries to get past Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray (27) during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) takes a shot during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) drives past Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Torrey Craig (3) blocks the shot of Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, right, during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone directs his team during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers directs his team during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, left, reaches around for the ball as Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) looks for help during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, left, and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) tangle during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, left, and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) tangle during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, left, reaches around for the ball as Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) looks for help during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) and teammate Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, right, defend during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers disputes a call during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) reaches for the ball with Los Angeles Clippers’ Lou Williams, top, during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, left, and Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Jerami Grant, left, battles with Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, right, during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone directs his team during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, left, looks for help as Denver Nuggets’ Mason Plumlee (7) and teammate Michael Porter Jr., top, apply pressure during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) tries to get past Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) tries to get past Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) bangs home a dunk during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) takes a shot over Los Angeles Clippers’ Lou Williams (23) during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) looks for help as Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (15) defend during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, right, directs his team during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) goes up for a basket as Los Angeles Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr., top, and Los Angeles Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell, right, during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets’ Jerami Grant (9) celebrates a three point bucket with Michael Porter Jr., bottom, during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) reaches for the ball as Denver Nuggets’ Gary Harris (14) defends during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers’ Terance Mann (14) tries to block the shot of Denver Nuggets’ Jerami Grant, bottom, during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, left, talks with Ivica Zubac (40) during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, top, talks with Paul George (13) during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, left, talks with Jamal Murray (27) during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

of
Expand

Pat Riley used to say that an NBA playoff series does not begin until the home team loses, which is a confusing theory in this Bubble-wrapped postseason.

But an NBA playoff series can end when enough accumulated truths pile up. Whether the Clippers finished building that wall on Monday is still unclear, but their ability to summon bricks and mortar in the fourth quarter was impressive in their 113-107 win over Denver.

They collected their bricks from the hand of Jamal Murray, who shot the Utah Jazz out of the first round even when Denver trailed that series 3-1. Going into Game 3 of this series, Murray was 15 for 36, 5 for 16 from deep.

In this game Murray was 5 for 17 and 2 for 7, thanks to the Clippers’ assortment of large wing defenders. Murray, who had put together the most prolific 3-game span in playoff history against Utah, had trouble even seeing the rim at the end, and L.A.’s defense finally turned Nikola Jokic tentative down the stretch.

Jerami Grant’s three-pointer put the Nuggets ahead, 97-90, early in the fourth. From that point until Jokic’s basket that cut the Clippers’ lead to 111-105, Denver had only one field goal, and that was a fairly miraculous out-of-bounds save by Murray that became a bucket by Grant.

Overall the Nuggets were 1 for 9 on their fourth quarter threes, and missed 15 of 22 shots overall.

The Clippers even got on the highlight reel, which, to that point, was being dominated by Denver’s outrageous Michael Porter. The second-year man, once America’s top high school hooper, rained down a dunk on Montrezl Harrell that will decorate the Internet for a while.

But when Murray drove the lane at the end, Kawhi Leonard was waiting on him from above. Replays showed that he actually blocked Murray’s shot with his middle finger.

“That’s a long middle finger, man,” said Paul George.

>> GAME STORY: Clippers get past Denver, take 2-1 lead in semifinal series <<

Overall, the Clippers held Denver to 19 points in the fourth quarter and limited the Nuggets to 10 free throw attempts. In the long run, that wasn’t surprising, but it was hard to visualize it for most of the previous three quarters, when Jokic was feasting on the foul-bedeviled Ivica Zubac and puzzled the Clippers with his playmaking, including a brilliant look-off pass to Monte Morris for one of many Denver second-quarter layups.

The Nuggets also burned the Clippers three times on simple in-bounds passes from the side. But, all along, the Clippers were getting some grinding minutes from Leonard and George, and when Patrick Beverley came into the fourth quarter with consecutive steals, you could sense Denver’s shortness of breath.

“Both ends of the floor, Paul really exerted himself and took ownership of the game,” Lou Williams said. “We just decided in the fourth quarter we weren’t going to lose this game.”

For Doc Rivers it was nearly ideal — a tough Game 3 win and a 2-1 series lead, with lots of warts and hiccups to provide humility during Tuesday’s practice.

“We had a lot of lapses, they’re hard to overcome,” Rivers said. “But overall, when we locked in, we were really good. It’s been in spurts. I look at the whole picture. I get it, but the mental lapses are frustrating. We had a lot of them and we got away with it. You can’t be great and do that every night.”

As usual, the numbers were devious. Jokic hit the Clippers with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists and yet was a minus-8 on the sheet, measuring how the Nuggets did when he was on the floor. But Beverley was minus-13.

“I ignore that,” Rivers said. “You gotta be careful with plus-minus. Sometimes it’s just bad luck, you’re on the floor when the other team is making a run. With Pat, he had back to back steals, he gets big rebounds, he just makes so many plays that aren’t statted. It’s amazing.

“But can you imagine giving the other team 19 more shots and still winning? You have to be so good offensively to do that. And that’s what we were tonight.”

The Clippers were the highest-scoring team in the postseason coming into Game 3 and also had the highest shooting percentage, and they shot 54.7 here, with George draining 12 of 18 shots and scoring 32.

The series theoretically is not close to done, but it appears the Nuggets have to be at their best in more areas than the Clippers do. Normally it’s hard to win like that, even if your home is on the road.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A new kind of pollution — wildfire smoke — can cause health issues

It’s a domino effect Southern Californians know all too well: When there’s extreme heat, there are fires. And when there are fires, there’s smoke. And when there’s smoke, there is insidious air pollution. The pattern, caused by four fires still burning in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, is producing columns of smoke that collapse, spreading lung-damaging soot for hundreds of miles. After record-breaking heat and explosive fires over the Labor Day weekend, lingering fire clouds lowered temperatures considerably Tuesday, Sept. 8, by blocking the sun. But a moderate Santa Ana wind event starting Tuesday afternoon was expected to send desert winds through mountain canyons and into beach communities through Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. The Santa Anas are not good news for firefighters battling the two most troublesome fires, El Dorado near Yucaipa, and Bobcat above Duarte . A red flag warning went into effect late Tuesday. Homes could be th
Read more

30 Priceless Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) to Chuckle About

Image
It can come when we least expect it, when we are happily playing our favorite game and diligently working on the report due tomorrow. Then, all of a sudden, when we are just right about to save our progress, the blue demon appears, stares at you straight in the face and tells you that some sort of fatal, non-recoverable error has occur. You can cry, curse or swear, but nothing will change the fact that your hard work has all gone to the drain. Nobody will mistake that mocking blue screen for anything but a big FAIL. Yes, it’s the infamous blue screen of death, or BSoD for short. Oh, how we dread seeing one. Due to its widespread unpopularity, some victims of BSoD have make it a point to capture instances of BSoD for a good laugh (a laugh at their own plight, perhaps?). Others have even photoshopped BSoD into actual images and turned them into jokes. Whatever it is, we all find them hilarious because we’ve experienced them from time to time. To celebrate our contempt for BSoD, we hav
Read more

Mountain High to open Saturday, Nov. 14, for pass holders, followed by Snow Valley Monday

After a short delay this week following four employees who tested positive for coronavirus , Mountain High announced it will open on Saturday, Nov. 14, for season pass holders. The Wrightwood resort will sell tickets to the general public on Sunday, Nov. 15, according to the website. Tickets must be purchased 24 hours in advance. Amenities will be limited on opening weekend, including no lessons or rentals and limited food and beverage, though people can bring their own snacks onto the mountain. “It’s going to be a beautiful weekend so come enjoy your lunch on the sun deck. Indoor access will be limited,” the announcement said. “Guests should be prepared to enjoy an outdoor experience this winter, no matter the conditions. Lodges will be available for restrooms and retail purchases only.” Snow Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains announced Friday its season start date will be Nov. 16. The six-person chairlift will accommodate a whole family and groups that arrive together, or two
Read more