The Denver Nuggets backs are effectively against the wall. After winning game one of their playoff series with the Los Angeels Clippers in overtime, the Nuggets have lost the next two games and now find themselves down 2-1 on the road. Nikola Jokic is yet to have a signature game, pretty much everyone is hurt, and its starting to look like an early exit from the postseason for Denver. Of course, that will all change if they win today and send the series back to Denver tied 2-2. Massive game for the good guys this afternoon.
The Essentials
Who: Denver Nuggets (1-2) vs Los Angeles Clippers (2-1)
When: 4PM MDT
Where: You know what? Full respect for the Intuit Dome, that place is cool. Los Angeles, CA.
How to watch/listen: Crackstreams bad, Blackbeard good. TNT, Altitude Radio 92.5 FM.
Rival blog: Clipperholics
The Matchup
| Position | Nuggets | Clippers | Advantage |
| PG | Jamal Murray | Kris Dunn | Nuggets |
| SG | Christian Braun | James Harden | Clippers |
| SF | Michael Porter Jr. | Norman Powell | Even |
| PF | Aaron Gordon | Kawhi Leonard | Clippers |
| C | Nikola Jokic | Ivica Zubac | Nuggets |
| Bench | Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, Jalen Pickett | Bogdan Bogdanovic, Ben Simmons, Derrick Jones Jr. | Even |
Injury report: Michael Porter Jr – questionable (shoulder), Russell Westbrook – questionable (foot), DaRon Holmes II – out (achilles).
The Three Things
The thing to watch for: help
No, Nikola hasn’t had a thirty point monster triple double yet, but he’s still been the only consistent producer for the Nuggets. The problem is he’s seeing double if not triple teams basically every time down the court. Guys have to start making shots when he kicks it out of those scenarios. Particularly with Michael Porter Jr. nursing a bad shoulder and Russell Westbrook questionable as well. Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, those three guys more than anyone have to step up today to get Denver a win. Someone is going to have to replace Russ’ scoring off the bench if he can’t go as well. Prime candidate would be Julian Strawther, but we’ll take a 15 point game from Peyton Watson or Jalen Pickett if that’s what it takes.
The thing to remember: We’re down at Number 38!
It may be a bit dreary and gray now, but it’s sizing up to be a beautiful afternoon today in Denver with highs touching 70. Why am I giving you a weather report on a Nuggets game preview? Because we’re going to be down at Number 38 today for a Stiffs Night Out & Number 38 has the best patio for watching sports in Denver. We’ll be doing a live show before the game, there’s going to be $20 pitchers and some of the best food in town. Make sure to come down, say hi, watch some Nuggets and then stick around afterwards for the Colorado Avalanche watch party! Going to be a big day down at 3560 Chestnut Place.
The thing to bet: Jokic has to go over on points today right??? (27.5, -105)
We’re getting practically even money on 28 measly points from Nikola. Listen, if the Nuggets are going to have any chance of winning this game they will have to score more than 83 points like they did in game two. Jokic has to be the key catalyst to that. If Joker doesn’t hit the over tonight then either someone else has stepped up to be a hero with a miraculous game, or the Nuggets are heading back to Denver and getting ready for their gentlemen’s sweep.
