The opening game in the Denver Nuggets Los Angeles Clippers’ first round series led to hype.
Both Western Conference Powerhouses went up to the toes to open Marquee’s best of 7 matchups, but ultimately the Denver Nuggets won the 112-110 Game 1 overtime thriller victory on April 20th.
Nicola Djokic was dominant to lead the Nuggets over the LA Clippers as he finished with a good triple double performance on 29 points, 12, assists and nine boards.
Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray supported the real-life league MVPs, pouring 25 markers and 21 markers respectively.
However, it was Russell Westbrook who stole the show with a hustling display that earned praise from Mile High City fans, and praised 15 points, eight boards and two steels with 34 points of electrification from the bench.
James Harden’s game high 32 points and 11 assists were wasted as the Clippers attempted to ties the series together before the series moved to Los Angeles.
The series is still in its early stages, but the fierce levels of both teams have already fallen off the charts.
In the stretch of Game 1, Jokic was seen actively securing the ball multiple times and giving it to the referee right after several calls. This was a clever move from the NBA superstars to prevent LA from reviewing the play or challenging officials’ rulings.
Denver interim coach David Adelman explained Jokic’s actions against the Clippers in his post-game presser.
“I mean, if you’re allowed to grab the ball and make sure that play doesn’t happen, my guy has to step up that,” Adelman said. “And that’s not a delay in the game. What have we been doing all year round?
“So, if it’s okay, I think it’s okay, I think it’s okay, then we have to start it. I’ve never seen it before. But if they didn’t call it, they didn’t call it and it didn’t affect the game.
The biggest example was Jokic’s sideline battle for the ball with Jeff Van Gundy.
After Murray deflected the ball into Kawi Leonard’s hand, 32.6 left regulations, and officials blew hists and owned it to the Nuggets. Jokic rushed for an inbound play, but he had to wrestle the ball first from the Clippers assistant.
The clip has become a virus across the league’s social media, apparently reaching the Nuggets’ locker room.
“(JVG) looked pretty good. He grabbed his own. He grabbed the ball. It was pretty embarrassing for Jok. He’s in the weight room now,” Christian Brown jokingly said about the sequence, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
She also reported that David Adelman said this type of competitiveness from both teams was something he had never encountered before.
“My guys have to step on it. If we are allowed to do it, we should start doing it. I’ve never seen it… I’m sure the league will see it,” he joked.
Adelman added that it is a simple expression of how the seven-game series has become epic.
“He’s a pretty competitive guy and a great coach,” Adelman said of Van Gundy.
“That’s how this series goes. There are a lot of winning people involved, there are a lot of basketball pedigree and NBA history.”
“You have a championship coach out there (at Ty Lue). And I’m not going to try this over again, but James and Kawi are very special. This series has it all.”
“If I were a fan, I’m watching. It’s physical, playmaking, role players can hit big shots. Generally, I thought the game was great in terms of adjustments made on both sides. I’m excited about Monday (Game 2).”