Nuggets Beat Clippers To Reach Conference Semi-finals

The Denver Nuggets hit nan Los Angeles Clippers 120-101 connected Saturday to seal their transition from nan first information of nan NBA play-offs.

The bid went to crippled seven, pinch nan decider being played successful Denver, and nan hosts dominated to scope nan Conference semi-finals.

The Nuggets are nan 4th seed successful nan Western Conference and will adjacent look apical seeds, nan Oklahoma City Thunder, who big crippled 1 connected Monday.

Denver utilized a large 3rd 4th to clinch triumph complete nan Clippers, stretching their lead from 11 points up astatine half-time, to 93-66.

The Nuggets had six players scope double figures, pinch Aaron Gordon (22 points) and Christian Braun (21) starring nan measurement for nan 2023 champions, while Russell Westbrook added 16 points disconnected nan bench.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic vanished 2 assists awkward of a triple-double, claiming 16 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists on pinch 3 steals.

"In nan play-offs, we cognize that everybody needs to measurement up," said nan 30-year-old Serbian centre.

"Everybody who plays needs to lend thing - everybody did that."

Kawhi Leonard led Los Angeles pinch 22 points but James Harden, who had 13 assists, was held to 7 points arsenic nan Clippers mislaid successful nan first information of nan play-offs for nan 3rd consecutive season.

The Golden State Warriors sojourn nan Houston Rockets to determine nan last Conference semi-final spot connected Sunday, while nan Indiana Pacers deed nan roadworthy to statesman their semi-final bid pinch nan Cleveland Cavaliers.