Game 6. It’s been a long series already. The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping it continues into the weekend. The Denver Nuggets have an opportunity to end things tonight.
Let’s talk basketball.
Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Starting Lineups
Denver: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
Los Angeles: James Harden, Norman Powell, Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac
Key Bench Players
Denver: Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, and DeAndre Jordan played in Game 5. Jalen Pickett did not (until garbage time).
Los Angeles: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Ben Simmons played in Game 5.
Notable Injuries
Denver: DaRon Holmes II – OUT
Los Angeles: None
Key for the Nuggets – No Relaxation
It’s a pretty simple equation for Denver here. The Clippers will most likely show some desperation in this moment. James Harden’s intensity hasn’t been high enough lately, but that may change in an elimination game. Kawhi Leonard got the “Playoff Kawhi” moniker for a reason. The veterans for the Clippers understand the moment having been in these situations before. Oh, and Intuit Dome will be rocking.
The Nuggets have been in this situation before and failed. David Adelman made sure to mention that after Game 5. The job isn’t finished, and if the Nuggets just expect the Clippers to roll over, they will be rolling right back to Ball Arena for Game 7.
Important Matchup – Christian Braun vs James Harden
Early on in this series, Harden got the best of Braun, making multiple threes in Braun’s face and having an incredible Game 1. As the series has progressed, Braun has improved in his coverage of Harden every single game, so much so that Harden has appeared bothered at times by the intensity and physicality Braun is utilizing. He’s committing the occasional foul that can be unavoidable when guarding the greatest foul drawing artist of all-time, but when he forces a tough floater or contested stepback three, Braun is doing his job.
Can he do it one more time? Can he stay active offensively and in transition to force Harden to guard him? At just 24 years old, Braun is in a good position here to play hard late into a contested, physical series. Let’s see what he’s got in the most important game of the season.
Series Adjustment – Harden guards Nikola Jokic
The Clippers were struggling to guard Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic early in Game 5. They continued to struggle to guard Murray, but they did something interesting to bother Jokic: they put James Harden on him. Harden is strong, and the Clippers consistently kept Harden involved up top while using elite rotational defenders like Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, and Ivica Zubac on the back line. Jokic was bothered, scoring just 13 points on 13 shots and committing some unnecessary turnovers while navigating Harden.
The Nuggets will have spent some time going over this adjustment, but really, it just comes down to Jokic reading the floor better behind Harden. Jokic was more focused on getting Murray involved than his own individual scoring, but that might have to change in Game 6. Denver will need to punish matchups like Harden on Jokic more consistently if they want to close out this series.
Number of the Day – 60
There are only four duos in the NBA that have at least a 24% Usage Rate and 60% True Shooting in the playoffs so far:
- Denver: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray
- Cleveland: Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell
- Boston: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
- LA Lakers: Luka Doncic and LeBron James
Two of those duos have advanced in the shaky Eastern Conference. One of those duos is still playing. One of those duos is not. What a shame.
Nugget who should have a good game: Nikola Jokic
Closeout games are about stars. Yes, other players will have to step up and get the job done too, but this is why players like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden get paid the big bucks. They’re expected to shine in these moments to keep their team’s championship dreams alive.
I think the Clippers try a similar game plan to what they had in Game 5, but the moment Murray looks like he’s finding a rhythm, they will load up to blitz him and try to get the ball out of his hands. That will leave Jokic to attack in 1-on-1 situations and punish certain matchups that the Clippers will have to live with because they’re two-pointers, not threes where Murray is raining hellfire.
I expect Jokic to make the necessary adjustments in this one and give Denver a chance to win. Others will need to help him get the job done, but he should put them in position to succeed.