2020 NBA Playoffs: Clippers vs. Nuggets Game 3 preview and game thread

Game Information

Where: AdventHealth Arena, Orlando, Florida

When: Monday, September 7 at 6:00 p.m. PT

How to watch: TNT, TSN

Projected Starting Lineups

Clippers: Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris Sr., Ivica Zubac

Nuggets: Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Jerami Grant, Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic

Injuries/Absences

Clippers: None

Nuggets: Will Barton (right knee), Vlatko Cancar (left foot) — OUT, Nikola Jokic (right wrist) — QUESTIONABLE

Tonight is a crucial game, as whoever wins will take a 2-1 series lead. Though it wouldn’t be detrimental, winning the game would put the Clippers in a prime position in this series. Although LA lost game 2, there were definitely some things to be optimistic about.

I talked about it in the last article, but the Clippers lost by nine after the worst playoff performance from Kawhi Leonard in years. He’s not going to score only 13 points again tonight, I can nearly guarantee you that. Additionally, the Clippers were the better team for ³⁄₄ of the game. From the second quarter on, LA outscored Denver in every quarter, and they did a great job on limiting the Nuggets’ offense the rest of the way. Again, I get they lost, but it took a historic first quarter from Denver and a “once every few years” off-game from Leonard to lose.

The Clippers will be fully healthy in this one, but something to look at is the fact that Nikola Jokic has been listed as questionable. He was great for the Nuggets in game 2, scoring 26 points with 18 rebounds. He also had four assists and three blocks for good measure. If he doesn’t play tonight it will be a huge blow for Denver, and it’ll be interesting to see who they look to in order to try and replicate his numbers.

Whatever happens, I’m expecting a big game from Leonard and company, and think the Clippers will lock things down defensively. Either way, it’s going to be a great game.