Nuggets stage large comeback to edge Clippers in OT in wild NBA playoff opener

Nikola Jokic scored 29 factors and Aaron Gordon added 25, together with a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left, and the Denver Nuggets roared again from a 15-point first-half deficit to energy previous the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in time beyond regulation Saturday within the opener of their Western Convention playoff collection.

Jamal Murray added 21 factors, 9 boards and 7 assists for the fourth-seeded Nuggets, who improved to 4-0 beneath interim coach David Adelman, Michael Malone’s alternative.

The No. 5 seed Clippers’ loss was their first since March 30 at Cleveland. They rolled into the playoffs having received 18 of 21, together with their final eight, and so they jumped out to an early lead that held till the ultimate minutes of regulation.

Recreation 2 is Monday evening at Ball Area.

Russell Westbrook got here up large on the finish of each regulation — with an uncontested nook 3 for a 98-96 Denver lead — and once more in time beyond regulation when he knocked the inbounds cross away from — and off of — James Harden with 9.6 seconds left and Denver clinging to a 3-point lead.

Jokic was fouled on the following inbounds play and his two free throws made it 112-107 earlier than Norman Powell’s buzzer 3-pointer.

The sport was tied at 98 on the finish of regulation.

After Westbrook’s 3-pointer from the left nook, Harden responded with a floater to tie it and the Nuggets could not get off a shot within the remaining 18 seconds.

In time beyond regulation, the Nuggets by no means trailed.

Jokic had 12 assists and completed one rebound shy of a triple-double. Harden led the Clippers with 32 factors. Kawhi Leonard added 27 and Ivica Zubac had 21.

These groups final met within the playoffs in 2020 at Walt Disney World within the pandemic bubble, when the Nuggets overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the Clippers.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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