The Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets have engaged in a hard-fought battle in their first-round playoff series, with the teams splitting their first four contests. It’s a three-game series now, and Tyronn Lue and the Clippers need to figure out how to slow down Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic. By now, it’s become clear that Jokic is central to everything Denver does, as he’s averaging 28.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game through the first four games of this series. The Nuggets knotted the series up in Game 4, with Aaron Gordon hitting a putback slam right before time expired to give Denver a 101-99 victory.
“It’s tough, but you know, I’m glad we fought,” Kawhi Leonard said after Los Angeles’ crushing loss in Game 4. “We didn’t lay down. Down, I think, 20 in that fourth quarter, to be able to keep fighting and rally back, and you know, it’s the NBA. They made a great, great play.” Jokic is having his way with the Clippers in this series, and to this point, they have had no answer for him, as he continues to score and create offense for his teammates with ease. Heading into Game 5, Lue kept his cards close to his chest when asked how he plans on limiting Jokic throughout the remainder of the series.
“We’ll see,” Lue said several times when asked if the Clippers will do anything differently when it comes to their game plan for Jokic in Game 5.
The Clippers are back on the road for Game 5, as they will look to pick up another win in enemy territory after managing to nab a 105-102 victory in Game. Tip-off for this contest is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday night, with the winner set to take a commanding 3-2 lead in the series.
