Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The opening game of the series between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers has arguably been the most compelling contest of the NBA Playoffs first round so far. It took more than the standard 48 minutes to determine the winner, with just one shot separating the Clippers from victory (110:112 OT).
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are staying afloat largely thanks to the phenomenal performance of Nikola Jokić, who recorded 29 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds. But how sustainable is this level of individual brilliance? A telling moment came when Russell Westbrook hit the decisive three-pointer—despite converting just 21.4% of his attempts from beyond the arc over his last 10 games. One might chalk it up to luck, but a more pressing question arises: why was he the one taking the final shot? This points to a lack of control from the coaching staff in critical moments.
Los Angeles Clippers
There was a sense that the Los Angeles Clippers were not playing to their full potential in the opener. Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell shot at respectable rates—41% and 41.7%, respectively—but were surprisingly passive in terms of ball usage. If the Nuggets were already operating at their ceiling, then the Clippers had clear room for improvement and could spring a surprise in the next outings. James Harden’s form deserves special mention: he put up 32 points and 11 assists in 43 minutes on the court.
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
It seems unlikely that the Los Angeles Clippers will leave Colorado trailing 0-2 in the series. They are not inferior to the Denver Nuggets, neither in terms of roster nor overall play, and the loss in Game 1 could well be considered partially down to chance. We expect a response from the Clippers.
