Off the back of a thrilling Game One encounter, the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers will reconvene for the second time in three days at the Ball Arena on Tuesday.
The home side just about did enough to secure a hard-fought victory in the opening chapter of the series, and another win here would put them halfway towards completing the job.
Match preview
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In a fixture which served up multiple thrilling encounters during the regular season, Saturday's playoff curtain-raiser between the Nuggets and the Clippers certainly lived up to expectations as we got our first taste of postseason overtime action.
David Adelman's men were slow to get out of the blocks and trailed by as many as 15 points before rallying in the second half to take what looked to be a decisive lead 25 seconds from time through Russell Westbrook, only for James Harden to tie the game moments later.
However, the Nuggets would not be denied in the five-minute additional period that ensued, with four of their five starters getting themselves on the board to lead the 2023 NBA champions to a 112-100 triumph.
Given how much energy they expended last time out, the Nuggets will need to quickly regroup as they target a second straight win against a Clippers outfit who were 17-3 over their last 20 matches prior to Saturday's encounter.
Finishing just one rebound shy of what would have been a 19th career triple-double in the playoffs, Nikola Jokic was once again the talisman for his side, notching 29 points, nine boards and 12 dimes.
The reigning Most Valuable Player will have his sights set on another superb display on Tuesday as he and his teammates seek a 2-0 series advantage which has proven to be unassailable more often than not.
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Picking up from where they left off in their heavyweight season finale against the Golden State Warriors, the Clippers made a fast start against the Nuggets last time out but were unable to get themselves over the line.
Just about coming up short in a game which saw several lead changes, Tyronn Lue's men will undoubtedly be disappointed to have ended up empty-handed, although there is still all to play for in what promises to be an enthralling playoff tie.
Having racked up 32 points and 11 assists—both team highs—James Harden can hold his head up high from Saturday's encounter, but Kawhi Leonard did not have the best of outings despite putting up 20 points as he turned over the ball seven times.
The Clippers' sloppiness in possession of the ball proved to be one of their biggest undoings down the stretch, as a -9 turnover differential (11-20) largely resulted in them taking eight fewer shot attempts than the Nuggets' 94.
Ahead of Friday's Game Three matchup at Intuit Dome—the arena's first-ever playoff affair—the Clippers will now set out to draw level in the series to avoid leaving themselves with a mountain to climb.
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Team News
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DaRon Holmes II is still sidelined with an Achilles problem he sustained during the NBA Summer League, making him the Nuggets' only guaranteed absentee for this one.
Michael Porter Jr had a game to forget last time out, where he managed just three points in 26 minutes, but we expect the power forward to retain his place in the starting lineup.
Seth Lundy will not play any part for the Clippers on Tuesday as he continues his personal battle with a long-term ankle problem, while Patty Mills remains a doubt through illness.
However, France international Nicolas Batum is back in contention for the away side having shaken off a minor groin problem en route to a 24-minute cameo in Game One.
Denver Nuggets possible starting five:
Murray, Braun; Porter Jr, Gordon; Jokic
Los Angeles Clippers possible starting five:
Harden, Dunn; Powell, Leonard; Zubac
We say: Clippers to win by 4+ points
On another day, the Clippers could have emerged victorious from the opening matchup of the series, but the Nuggets just did enough to get the job done.
We expect Tuesday's encounter to be keenly contested once again, but we are tipping the away side to emerge victorious this time around and level matters.
Adepoju Marvellous
