Nuggets vs. Clippers: Remembering 2020 Western Conference semifinals in NBA bubble
The Nuggets and Clippers don’t have an extensive NBA playoff history.
They do have one memorable series.
The teams have only played twice in the postseason. The first time was in the 2005-06 playoffs when the Clippers beat Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets 4-1 for the first series win for the other team in Los Angeles.
The 2020 Western Conference semifinals series played in the NBA bubble in Florida was a bigger moment for the Nuggets, who recovered from a 3-1 series deficit to advance past the Clippers:
Game 1
Score: Clippers 120, Nuggets 97
What happened: Denver was coming off an exhausting seven-game series win over the Jazz and it showed in the first game. After the first quarter, the game was tied at 31 but the Clippers blew out the Nuggets after that.
Game 2
Score: Nuggets 110, Clippers 101
What happened: Like they did for most of the 2020 bubble playoffs, the Nuggets responded after being blown out. Jamal Murray had 27 points, while Nikola Jokic had 26 points and 18 rebounds to even up the series.
Game 3
Score: Clippers 113, Nuggets 107
What happened: A game the Nuggets let get away. Denver was leading going into the fourth quarter but the Clippers, paced by 32 points from Paul George, raced past Denver with a 29-19 fourth quarter.
Game 4
Score: Clippers 96, Nuggets 85
What happened: Denver started slow by scoring just 12 points in the first quarter. Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points and the Nuggets were never able to recover. Denver was once again down 3-1.
Game 5
Score: Nuggets 111, Clippers 105
What happened: Nuggets veteran Paul Millsap’s confrontation with Marcus Morris jump-started the rest of the series. The Clippers built up a big lead, but after Millsap got into Morris’ face, Denver caught fire and dominated most of the second half.
Game 6
Score: Nuggets 111, Clippers 98
What happened: The Nuggets followed the same script as Game 5. They fell behind by double digits only to rally in the second half and beat the Clippers to even up the series. Jokic led the way with 34 points and 18 rebounds.
Game 7
Score: Nuggets 104, Clippers 89
What happened: For the third game in a row, the Nuggets were down big to the Clippers in the first half. Another huge second half and 40 points from Jamal Murray led the Nuggets to another 3-1 comeback and a spot in the Western Conference finals.
