The Clippers' 102-100 win over the Nuggets was a step out of their recent decline. Especially with Leonard unplayable, the Clippers need to hold on to the fourth spot. A top-three finish is out of the question, and the Clippers must now hold on to their first-round home advantage. The next 1-2 games may not be played, and the Clippers certainly won't risk his return. At the end of the day, it's all about the playoffs, and the Clippers still have time to buffer.
In fact, the Clippers' Big Three are more or less injured, and Harden's shoulder injury has led to poor shooting recently, even today, it is not good to feel good, and it completely relies on tandem control to win. Wei Shao was forced out before he fully recovered, and George was also riddled with minor injuries, and the card was mainly an old knee injury. In the last few games of the Clippers, Tyronn Lue can't continue to play tricks. It makes sense to say that the penalty has to be controlled by Harden.
Harden himself also needs to step up and take over the ball and let the team use him as the engine, rather than Tyronn Lue saying give the ball to George. Today can already say everything, the Nuggets almost ruined the game in the first quarter. At the beginning, Pope and Reggie made a force, and the Nuggets started 16-4. The Clippers relied on George and Powell to support them, and the Nuggets led by 11 points in the first quarter. But in the second quarter, Harden began to lead the team, and he controlled the rhythm tandem, and the Clippers led by four points at halftime at 53-49.
In the second half, the Clippers were unstoppable, Harden was in charge, George was in charge, and the Clippers stopped the Nuggets in waves, although Jokic also led the team to respond later, but the Clippers still had a 5-point advantage in the third quarter. In the final quarter, the Clippers came up to a frenzy to lead by more than 10 points, and the Nuggets relied on Jokic to chase down the points and hit a 13-4 attack to chase down only 3 points. In the last minute, the Clippers' defense was still excellent, and Tucker's death wrapping around Jokic consumed a lot of physical energy, so Jokic's last few inside attacks on Zubac failed, and he only made one three-pointer from the outside.
Jokic had 36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in the whole game, without Murray's help, Jokic was really difficult to kill, Gordon 18 points and 6 boards The last attack today could have been tied, but the breakthrough was too violent and slipped, and this shot was very deadly. Pope had 16 points and Porter Jr. had 14 points. On the Clippers' side, George scored 28 points, Zubac had 14 points and 15 boards, Harden had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, shooting 6-of-23 from the field, 2-of-13 from three-point range, Powell had 11 points, and Westbrook had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
It's terrible to watch Harden's shooting, but that's the ending the Clippers want, and that's the ending Harden fans want. In Leonard's absence, the Clippers need Harden to let go, even if he can't shoot. George said after the game that Harden was going to be more aggressive. Then the famous O'Neal also commented that Harden should attack, because only in this way can the pressure on teammates be reduced and the opponent's defense pay attention to Harden's firepower. Today, Tyronn Lue's use of troops is finally reasonable. Powell was not allowed to start. Put Tucker in the No. 4 position, then Zubac at center, Harden and Mann in the backcourt, and George in the No. 3 position.
In fact, a big reason why Kazi has been injured recently is that he has been at the No. 4 position for too long, because of Batum's departure, the Clippers are now more of a No. 4 position, which increases the probability of him being injured. The No. 4 position of the card not only has to protect the frame and grab rebounds, but also has to assist in defense and top defense. In fact, the best starters for the Clippers are Zubac, Tucker, Leonard, George and Harden. Of course, the premise is that Tucker is to get back into shape. Even if he can return to his form in Philadelphia last year, the Clippers playoffs will still be interesting. At present, it is basically a first-round game against the Mavericks, and Tucker can still scare Doncic.