NBA Playoff Preview: Clippers VS Nuggets

With the Pacers steam rolling the Bucks and my first prediction of the day currently losing by 24 points I figured there's no better time than now to give out my second prediction/play of the day.

Denver Nuggets VS Los Angeles Clippers

In the 4/5 matchup of the Western Conference the Nuggets take on the Clippers in what may be the must watch series of the first round. Two teams with serious title aspirations and both lead by guys that don't like basketball.

For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard is coming in playing like the Kawhi of the Raptors, which maybe shouldn't be that big of a surprise since he only played 37 regular season games. Anyways, over his last 12 games Kawhi has averaged nearly 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. What's been even more impressive is he's doing it at an extremely high level of efficiency, shooting 55% from the field, 49% from 3, and 90% from the line.

James Harden played 79 games in yet another all-star year and has been a consistent force and leader keeping the Clippers out of the play-in and into the playoffs. The regular season has never been an issue for Harden, the biggest concern for Clippers fans is if the Beard will stay rolling for a full post season run. Harden has made a name for playing Casper on the biggest stage and through his career his numbers specifically in shooting efficiency drop in the playoffs. In a time when stars shine most, Hardens light seems to dim before the buzzer sounds.

The Clippers also enter the playoffs with the leagues 4th best defense centered by former Lakers draft pick Ivica Zubac. Zubac is having a career year averaging 19 points and 13 rebounds a contest and has been a model of consistency for the Clippers this season. At 7 feet 240 pounds, he's more than man enough to put a body on Jokic down low which will be his primary focus this series.

Some key players like Kris Dunn and Norman Powell will be charged with slowing down Jamal Murray but will play a key role in getting the Clippers faithful finally to see the reason they brought Kawhi and Harden to Inglewood in the first place, a title. They seem to have the guys to contend with anyone and in my opinion its now or never for this iteration of the Clippers.

editors note: Ben Simmons is on the team. Totally Forgot about that.

On to Denver, a team with the actual MVP that fired their only coach to ever bring a championship to the city with three games remaining in the season still has championship aspirations. You have Jokic, you have a shot. The Serbian big man, 3-time MVP comes into the playoffs after a historic season becoming only the 3rd player ever to average a triple double. When Joker was asked how he felt about that accomplishment he shrugged, said "that's cool", then retreated to the locker room to look at pictures of his horses and think of better days.

This guys so fucking good at basketball that him averaging a triple double didn't even come as a shock. Remember when Westbrook did it, barely made the playoffs, and the league gave him a pity MVP only to be put on Dame time and sent home in the first round? Just because he doesn't like basketball, doesn't mean he isn't the best player in the world and the rightful Most Valuable Player.

As for the rest of the team, it's been tough to gauge with Jamal Murray's injury battles and wait a second... was Aaron Gordon in a real battle?

This guy looks like he's training for UFC 315, not for a first round playoff game. I understand the Clippers defense "beats you up" but are they going blow for blow to prepare for the series? To be fair, Steve Kerr let's his guys swing over trash talk so maybe the new Head Coach is trying to instill some sort of championship mentality but I say save this type of physicality for the Warriors practice room.

As I was saying, Jamal Murray has been battling injury all year but he's the opposite of Harden in the sense that he shines brightest under the bright lights. If he's balling and MPJ gets hot from outside, I've got the Nuggets in 6 including a game one victory.

Turns out that bartending and blogging had my mental clock off and this game has begun already, here's my play.

Jokic 50+ PRA, Jokic 2+ 3's, Harden 35+ PRA, Harden 3+ 3's, & Murray 29+ PRA (+675 @DKSportsbook)