By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers put on a show, but in the end, the 2023 NBA champions, led by Nikola Jokić, prevailed. The final score was 112–110 in overtime for the Colorado team.
Denver struggled to cope with James Harden for most of the match, and while Jokić led the way on the other end of the floor, he eventually got much-needed help from his teammates.
Russell Westbrook squandered a chance to win the game in regulation, but the Nuggets found a way in the extra five minutes to take the lead in the playoff series.
Jokić played 46 minutes and was a rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with 29 points and 12 assists. Aaron Gordon followed with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Westbrook had 15 points and eight rebounds, scoring nine of those in the fourth quarter.
On the other side, it was the James Harden show with 32 points and 11 assists, while Kawhi Leonard followed with 22 points.
Croatian big man Ivica Zubac recorded another double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Serb Bogdan Bogdanović had a minor role, finishing with five rebounds, two assists, and no points.
Giannis’ double-double not enough, Pacers take the lead over Bucks