Clippers steal Game 3 from the Nuggets

    Clippers Coach Doc Rivers had a message to the team at the beginning which was getting multiple defensive stops throughout the game and Clippers C Ivica Zubac picked up 2 early fouls on Nuggets C Nikola Jokic in the first minute of play.

Both teams are exchanging baskets as the Clippers take the first timeout of the game with 5:21 left in the first and the Nuggets with the lead 19-18 behind they’re young stars in Murray and Jokic with a combined 11 points so far as they come out strong. The Clippers are really having trouble guarding Jokic as they continue to foul him and double him as he picks up 5 assists with 10 points in the first quarter.

What. A. Dime. 💪 👀

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/YvwpddTigB

— ESPN (@espn) September 8, 2020

The Nuggets come into the 2nd quarter with some fire behind them as they take a 43-36 lead with now Clippers C Montrezl Harrell picking up his 2nd foul as both centers for the Clippers are now in foul trouble and we still got 8:32 remaining in the first half. Another player also in foul trouble is Clippers G Patrick Beverly with 2 as well. Nuggets F Michael Porter Jr is having a great game off the bench with 12 points on 5-8 shooting from the field. Nuggets are dominating the paint by 28-12 late in the 2nd quarter as they have only turned the ball over once so far in this game. Nikola Jokic has been magnificent with 10 points 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 15 minutes of play in the first half.

The Clippers come out on a 10-0 run after calling a timeout and climb back into this game as it was looking bad for the Clippers thus far at the end of the first half as they cut the lead to 59-57 with the Nuggets on top. Jokic has 14 points 8 rebounds and 6 assist, Paul George has 17 points and Kawhi Leonard with 14 points going into the locker room.

Coming into the 3rd quarter with the Nuggets currently holding the momentum of this game with Nikola Jokic playing one of his best games in the playoffs thus far as he is doing everything in his power from shooting, blocking shots, passing the ball as Jokic goes on a quick run early in the 3rd quarter as he hits 3 three pointers in a row as he now has 25 points with 6:17 left in the 3rd.

DON'T DO HIM LIKE THAT, MPJ pic.twitter.com/EIZ3cOeaho

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 8, 2020

Nuggets F Michael Porter Jr has been playing great with his father in the building watching his son for the first time in the playoffs and he is definitely showing out here in Orlando with 2 amazing dunks and 18 points 9 rebounds off the bench. Another guy off the bench for the Nuggets that is playing great is Jerami Grant with 9 points as he hits his first 3 of the game as he gives the Nuggets a 97-90 lead early in the 4th quarter.

After the Clippers won Game 1, the Nuggets seemed to have a found the formula on how to stay in the game with the highly favorites Clippers and not just stay in the game but actually win games as they are currently tie 1-1 as they look in taking a 2-1 series lead. Clippers come out of the time out with a 8-0 run as they force the Nuggets to take a time out with 7:01 remaining in the game.

PG (32 PTS) came to play in Game 3 🔥

The Clippers lead the series 2-1. pic.twitter.com/8rwEHkzuwB

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 8, 2020

The Clippers quickly picked up the intensity in this game as they do not wanna go down 2-1 in this series against a tough Denver team. Kawhi Leonard has come up big in this game compare to Game 2 as he had one of his worst games in the playoffs and is currently 8-15 from the field with 19 points as we are coming down to the last 5 minutes of the game with Denver up 101-99.

Clippers C Ivica Zubac has fouled out with 4 minutes left and Jokic continues his dominance in this game as he is 2 assists shy of a triple double. Paul George has been big for the Clippers shooting 12-18 from the field with 32 points. Kawhi Leonard finishes with 23 points on 9-19 shooting from the field and the Los Angeles Clippers take Game 3 and now lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 on Wednesday 9ET/6PT on ESPN.

DEN missed a couple of open looks late, but that was a monstrous 4Q defensive effort from the Clippers. This Nuggets team is really tough. Rallied vs Utah when they looked dead, went toe to toe with LAC from the tip tonight knowing they would get peak LAC effort. Resilient team

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) September 8, 2020

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