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00:00He stays the hot hand.
00:02Murray cannot miss.
00:03The Denver Nuggets, a win away from advancing to the second round.
00:07Game six is one of the hardest ones.
00:09We're going to have to bring it.
00:10A do or die game to the Clippers.
00:12Got to fight now.
00:13Kawhi sends one down.
00:15Going back home.
00:16Intuit to be rocking.
00:17Whatever they're telling us, we've got to be ready.
00:19Whatever it takes.
00:24Beautiful, sunny Southern California on a Thursday night.
00:29And a big crowd filing in.
00:31The sparkling new home of the Clippers.
00:33The Intuit Dome.
00:35It's the home of the wall as well.
00:37And they are ready to roar here tonight.
00:40You're watching the first round presented by NerdWallet.
00:47This is game six.
00:49The four against the five.
00:51The Denver Nuggets and the L.A. Clippers.
00:54Denver up 3-2 in this series.
00:57A chance to close out their rival tonight.
01:00Clippers jumped out to a 2-1 series lead.
01:03Behind the resurgent Kawhi Leonard at 39 in game two.
01:07And then the Nuggets, they've regained control.
01:10They've got the Joker.
01:11They've got Aaron Gordon's game four miracle.
01:14And how about playoff Murray lighting up the mile high sky in game five.
01:20And now it's winner go home time for the L.A. Clippers.
01:23Nuggets a win away from advancing.
01:25Oklahoma City awaits.
01:26Meanwhile, on the other side, Minnesota advancing past the Lakers last night.
01:31They await the winner of the Warriors and the Rockets.
01:34And with that, we welcome you.
01:35Hi, everybody.
01:36I'm Brian Anderson along with the coach, Stan Van Gundy.
01:39Lauren Jabara is here as well.
01:40And now we're in our first elimination game of this series.
01:44The Nuggets can advance.
01:45The Clippers trying to get this to a game seven.
01:47Absolutely.
01:48They want to get it to a game seven.
01:49And Ty Lue said to get there, they are going to need more focus defensively.
01:54And, of course, you're going to need the stars to step up.
01:57Jamie Harden needs a big game.
02:00And you can always count on this guy, the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic.
02:06Jokic, a monster series against the Clippers, averaging a triple-double,
02:12including those 11 assists per game.
02:16They are ready to tip it up.
02:17David Guthrie, Tyler Ford, Curtis Blair.
02:20David Guthrie puts it in the air.
02:21The Clippers control the opening tip.
02:24And here we go, game six.
02:32First possession.
02:33Don gets out the first shot in a layoff to get it started.
02:36Well, I think game five gave Dunn more offensive confidence.
02:40Fifteen points.
02:42Six for seven from the floor.
02:43Three for four for three.
02:45And he gets off to a good start tonight.
02:47First possession for the Nuggets.
02:49Murray coming off that 43-point game five.
02:52He finds Christian Brown.
02:53Returns the favor.
02:55And Murray misses his first try.
02:57And that is going to be the football.
02:59Oh, they dodged a bullet there.
03:01But look, we saw a change already.
03:06Kawhi Leonard starting the game on Jamal Murray tonight.
03:09Try to get more size on him.
03:11Brown picks up Harden.
03:12That's been a familiar matchup.
03:13Harden goes to the basket.
03:15Lost it out of bounds.
03:16That's going to stay in the possession of the Clippers.
03:19This is Harden's drive.
03:22You see how he extends the arms.
03:25This used to be James Harden move that always got him to the free throw line.
03:30The referees have quit giving him that, particularly come playoff time.
03:34But with that said, he's still fourth in the league in free throw attempts.
03:37Coach, we saw the 11 points from Harden in game five.
03:40Well, he scored six of the first ten points of the game on drives.
03:45Very similar to that.
03:46Kawhi Leonard for three.
03:47Short.
03:48There's Murray with the rebound.
03:49Jamal Murray told Lauren Jabara after game five.
03:53Game six is going to be the toughest.
03:56Trying to close it out.
03:57His court bullies his way inside.
03:59Well, any time Gordon gets a guard on him,
04:02he's going to go right to the rim and to the post and use his size advantage.
04:07That's a big part of the Nugget attacking transition.
04:11Gordon's got Kawhi Leonard this time down the floor.
04:13They give it to Powell.
04:15Powell over Murray.
04:16And Jokic rebound.
04:18Nuggets want to push it.
04:19They let the NBA in fast-break points this year.
04:22The Clippers do a good job getting back.
04:27Gordon sets up in the corner.
04:29Short.
04:30Again, all the three-point tries are short to start this game.
04:34You wonder if there's a little tension involved.
04:36He's got a great series averaging over 20 points a game and shooting 67% coming in.
04:51Zubats finished second most improved player award.
04:55It was announced yesterday.
04:56Dyson Daniels won that award.
04:58Here is Murray.
04:59Zubats barking at his own teammates for allowing Murray so much space.
05:04Well, Kawhi Leonard switched back.
05:07He veered back to Jokic.
05:09And Zubats expected him to keep coming and pursuing Murray.
05:15On the Clippers turnover.
05:16Here's Michael Porter Jr.
05:17He misses it.
05:19Now Harden wants to run.
05:21Leonard and Powell on the edges.
05:23Powell drives on Jokic.
05:25Jokic contact.
05:26Gets it to go with a left hand.
05:28Exclusive move by Powell.
05:31Great combination of being able to shoot the three and put the ball on the floor and take it to the rim.
05:37He was having an all-star worthy season until he got the injury.
05:41Hamstring injury.
05:42Hamstring injury.
05:43Cost in 22 games.
05:44Zubats with a steal.
05:45Harden hesitation drives.
05:46Scores.
05:47That's twice in a row.
05:48The Clippers have taken it right at Jokic and finished.
05:57Very similar feel to game five with the Clippers on the attack.
06:02Inside Brown.
06:03Brown.
06:04And Brown puts it in.
06:06And another bucket in the paint.
06:08Well it's a great back cut from the corner by Brown.
06:15Powell.
06:16Carl Silver drives.
06:17Oh!
06:18And that's a goaltend.
06:19Porter slaps it off the glass.
06:23And it just hit the glass though.
06:25And count the basket.
06:26Two more for Norman Powell.
06:30And clearly off the window first.
06:32Automatic goaltend.
06:33And everything has been right at the basket for the Clippers.
06:36Eight points in the paint.
06:37The other one was that short Zubats push shot.
06:41Game five was a much different kind of game than what we saw in the first four.
06:46Coach.
06:47High-scoring affair.
06:48Denver had their highest output as Jokic can't get that to go.
06:51Well defended that time.
06:52Yeah, look.
06:53We had almost 40 more points in that game combined than we had had in the first four games.
07:01The first four games in regulation.
07:04Powell for three.
07:05Good out.
07:06Good look at it.
07:07Nice set up there by Dunn.
07:12Nuggets won game five by a final of 1-31 to 1-15.
07:16Clippers got it within single digits late after they were down 22.
07:20And then Denver had that finishing kick.
07:23Murray had an incredible game final.
07:26One of his best in the playoffs as Jokic reigns in a three ball.
07:29I mean, Jokic is incredible.
07:31Not only was he in the top three in the league in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals.
07:37He was in the top 20 in three-point shooting percentage.
07:40Zubat sprays it out to Powell.
07:42And now Dunn steps into a three.
07:44Dunn misses.
07:45He knocked down three threes in game five.
07:48He has found himself wide open often in this series.
07:52Defense!
07:53Defense!
07:54Defense!
07:55Defense!
07:56This is why he's out here right now with his defense.
07:59And he commits the foul.
08:00And that's going to lead us to our first time out.
08:05Game six, Intuit Dome.
08:0710-9.
08:08Clippers have the early lead.
08:11Welcome back to Intuit Dome.
08:13This place is rocking.
08:14For the Clippers, it's win or go home.
08:16And Ty Lue telling me he was a little disappointed with the way that they started game five.
08:21He said we were giving him a lot of really easy opportunities.
08:24And it came down to not necessarily schemes, but mental mistakes that we were making.
08:29He said it was breakdowns.
08:30We have to be better defensively from the jump.
08:32It comes down to that mental adjustment.
08:34On the other side, for the Nuggets, Jamal Murray told me after game five,
08:38game sixes are the hardest to close out.
08:40He said the team is fighting for their life.
08:42They're playing in front of their home crowd.
08:44So we're going to have to bring it.
08:45David Adelman also telling me we have to survive the first six minutes
08:49and not get caught up with it being a closeout game.
08:52You don't win by hoping.
08:53You win by going through the process.
08:55He said calm the road.
08:56Play at our pace.
08:57Execute.
08:58I'm not thinking about winning yet.
08:59I'm thinking about being in the game first.
09:02Then we go from there, guys.
09:03Great stuff, Lauren Jamal.
09:05Thank you for that.
09:06And how about the finish in Detroit?
09:08The Knicks advance.
09:10Knicks win it 116-113.
09:12They will face Boston in the second round on Monday.
09:15And here we are at a game six between the Clippers and the Nuggets.
09:18As James Harvey gets inside, scores again.
09:21The Clippers back in front.
09:23Very similar kind of pace and style of play as we saw in game five.
09:28Great to have all of you with us now as we get set for the second game of our playoff doubleheader tonight.
09:34Brian Anderson with Stan Van Gundy.
09:37And there is Jokic who puts it in.
09:40He just made a three a moment ago.
09:42Well, look.
09:43If you're going to switch on to Jokic with Chris Dunn, Chris Dunn at least cannot let him get to his right hand, Brian.
09:50He's got to take that away and make him spin back to the left.
09:53Kauai Leonard knocks down a mid-range jumper.
09:56Vintage Kauai.
09:58And he is a big part of the success of the Clippers.
10:02He missed half of the season.
10:04Has come back healthy and strong.
10:06And has had some big moments in this series already as Gordon just wipes out Dunn for the second time.
10:12And a mismatch the Nuggets have exploited already.
10:16Yeah, they're going at Chris Dunn who's a great defender but he's getting caught on big guys here early and they're taking advantage.
10:22Powell dished a pass late.
10:26And it'll be a foul but side out.
10:28That's the third time, like you said, Brian, they've used their sides advantage on Chris Dunn.
10:35And here's where the other night's three-point shooting has helped Denver.
10:40The Clippers don't want to come and double for Dunn or Health because they don't want to give up the threes.
10:47And Ty Lue makes the move here with Dunn missing his first three.
10:51He's getting his first three-point opportunity.
10:54And Nick Batum is on the floor.
10:56Here's Harden's three.
10:57Harden has really scuffled not only making threes but getting three-point attempts as Murray has tripped up.
11:04Foul's going to be on James Harden.
11:08Harden had 32 points in the game one loss for the Clippers but coach in game four just two three-point attempts.
11:20Game five just two three-point attempts.
11:22And he's won for his last four from the line.
11:25Not the Harden we're used to seeing in the playoffs.
11:27Well, but if we go back through Harden's history, he's been better early in the playoff series than he has been late.
11:35Teams adjust to him and make it tough one.
11:39The Clippers are 0 for 5 from beyond the three-point line.
11:44Murray stripped down on Leonard.
11:47He gets it back.
11:48He spins away from him and hits a baseline jumper.
11:50That was pretty.
11:51And the stripped down actually ended up helping Leonard because he had given up his dribble and had nowhere to go.
11:58But because of the strip that he could make another move and he just used his size on Jamal Murray.
12:04Jokic orchestrating with Murray the great tandem for these Nuggets with championship pedigree.
12:09David Guthrie says it was on the line from a Clipper.
12:14I think Kawhi had his foot on the line.
12:16So that'll be Nuggets ball with eight seconds on the shot clock.
12:20And that's what David Guthrie said.
12:22Oh no, he's saying Zubats.
12:24I don't know.
12:26Looked like he was clear of it.
12:28They got a break there.
12:30Nuggets late clock.
12:31Jokic's looking for help.
12:35And Murray has to put up a prayer.
12:37That comes up short.
12:38Good stand defensively by L.A.
12:40And better rebounding here early by the Clippers.
12:44Doing a much better job of blocking out and game rebounding.
12:49As Powell, another bucket, off to a great start tonight.
12:54He's been much better in the two games at home in this series coming in than he was in the three games in Denver.
13:01Russell Westbrook coming off his big game.
13:04In game five, finds Aaron Gordon.
13:07Gordon hits again.
13:08I tell you, Aaron Gordon, he has had a terrific series.
13:12He has the signature moment of these NBA playoffs in the first round with that put-back dunk.
13:19He had 23 in game five on seven of 11 shooting.
13:24Knocked down a three-pointer.
13:25Made all but one of his free throws.
13:27Kawhi probing.
13:32And now a four to shoot.
13:33Norman Powell, another three-point miss.
13:35That's an air ball.
13:36Clippers are 0 for 6 from three-point range.
13:40Well, maybe that's the formula for winning because last night, Minnesota went seven for 47 and got the win.
13:47So, maybe that's what you're supposed to do is miss threes.
13:50Murray connects for his first three-pointer.
13:53Jamal Murray knocked down eight threes in game five.
13:59Jamal Murray has nine in this first quarter.
14:04Another fast start for playoff Murray.
14:07Nuggets have the lead by four.
14:12Well, following up on Tuesday's 43-point performance, Jamal Murray up to a good start.
14:19But the Clippers not doing a good job with their communication.
14:24And leaving Jamal Murray wide open four times already tonight.
14:30He elevates his game in a big way.
14:3324 points per game in the playoffs.
14:35This is his 71st playoff game.
14:37He went for 10 points in the first quarter in game five.
14:42He is the Nuggets all-time playoff three-point leader.
14:46He's second in a lot of other major categories to his dynamic partner, Nikoli Okic.
14:52What a tandem they are.
14:54Two years removed from a championship.
14:56Derek Jones Jr.
14:57First minutes on the floor.
14:58And the Clippers now 0 for 7 from three-point range.
15:02Ty Lue searching for some shooting right now.
15:05Bogdanovich getting his first minutes as well.
15:09Let's see the matchups.
15:11Bogdanovich ends up on Gordon.
15:13And Jokic immediately finds him.
15:15And Gordon, a little turnaround.
15:17Back higher.
15:18Harden the rebound.
15:20Christian Brown trying to check Harden.
15:27Ty Lue leaves it for Zubats, and he puts it in.
15:30Now, we've seen the Harden-Zubats combination many times.
15:36Usually on pick-and-rolls, but that one on the street.
15:39He's a little tracing in the first one.
15:41Zubats 27 in game five, but only five rebounds.
15:47Ty Lue saying he needs a little more out of Zubats, especially in the rebounding and defensive columns here tonight.
15:54Nice pass by Jokic.
15:55What a fine.
15:56The Brown missed it.
15:57There is Gordon at a put-back.
15:59And every Gordon put-back in this building is going to remind him of that incredible moment in game four.
16:05Well, the Clippers blitzing Murray.
16:08So, on rotation, you're going to have a tough time blocking out.
16:13Murray goes all the way.
16:15He is fouled.
16:16And a chance at a three-point play.
16:18You got Jokic with the block on one end.
16:21And Murray racing to the basket and scoring.
16:25It's just a good finish and a bad foul by Batum.
16:30You're going to foul on those layups.
16:32You can't let him get the shot up on the rim that easy.
16:36Jamal Murray at the line.
16:37We send it over to Lauren Jabarro.
16:39Guys, Jamal told me after game five that moments like these are just fun.
16:43That's why he loves it.
16:44The best players put on a best show.
16:46He said, everyone's playing hard.
16:48Everyone's playing for something.
16:49So, just coming here, having my teammates back.
16:51They have mine.
16:52It's fun, good basketball.
16:53And Christian Brown also telling me Jamal Murray is built for big moments.
16:58The bigger the stage, the better he plays.
17:00And we trust him and Nikola to take the big shots.
17:03His game and mindset always rise when it matters the most.
17:06You know, and as you reported, Lauren, early in the series when we were there for game two,
17:10that hamstring injury was some concern.
17:12He had missed six games late in the year.
17:15He came back for the last two of the regular season.
17:17And he has played heavy minutes.
17:19He's been regularly high 30s, even into the 40s.
17:22Four minutes played as Kawhi Leonard, from the same spot, knocks down another midrange jump shot.
17:28There's not much you can do about that defensively.
17:31You're right there.
17:32He's just able to rise up over the top.
17:34Inbound.
17:35And blocked.
17:36And blocked.
17:37Murray denied that time.
17:38Here's Buck Donovic running the break.
17:40Buck Donovic looking for Subac, knocked out of bounds.
17:45Peyton Watson off the Nuggets bench.
17:49The Nuggets bench to challenge.
17:52They don't.
17:53And the Clippers inbound the ball.
17:56And now Jokic on Leonard.
17:58Coming to the end of the first quarter here in this elimination game.
18:03It's winner go home for the Clippers.
18:06Nuggets lead 3-2.
18:07Batum hits a corner three.
18:10And a good time for the first one.
18:12All 26 of his shots in this series have been from three.
18:17He's over 40%.
18:20Bogdanovich fouls Westbrook.
18:24First three pointer of the game for the Clippers.
18:27From Nick Batum.
18:30Well and that's big because look on the year including the postseason.
18:35The Clippers are 33 and 4.
18:38They've won 89% of their games when they shoot 38% or better from three.
18:43They've only won 28% of their games 19 and 31 when they're below.
18:4938%.
18:53Westbrook knocks down the first one.
18:55And we remind you the NBA on TNT is brought to you by the Kia Telluride X-Line.
19:00Kia the official automotive partner of the NBA.
19:04And that stat which I find very important was from our crack stats guy Tom Barger.
19:13I don't want to act like I came up with that on my own.
19:16Incredible with the numbers.
19:17One out of two from Westbrook.
19:19We've got a great crew here.
19:21And glad to have all of you with us tonight.
19:23This series they get late.
19:25This has been the best series in the playoffs.
19:28Clippers and Nuggets.
19:30Coming double Kawhi and the shot clock's running down.
19:34Quick release by Batum.
19:36Missed it.
19:37Zubats and Jokic grapple.
19:38And it's going to stay in possession of the Clippers.
19:40Zubats been great on the offensive boards.
19:43The entire series averaging 4.6 offensive rebounds coming in already.
19:52He creates a second chance opportunity even though it won't go on to the stat sheet for him.
19:58Zubats leads the Clippers in offensive rebounds.
20:02He leads in this series.
20:04He's second overall in the playoffs.
20:06Led the NBA in total rebounds and offensive rebounds this season.
20:10Had a great year.
20:12Worthy of that most improved player for the second in that race.
20:18That'll take us to the end of the first quarter.
20:20Entertaining first quarter with the Nuggets up 28-25.
20:25Jamal Murray goes off again.
20:2712 points in the first.
20:29And here we go to the second in game six.
20:32And you're watching the 20-25 NBA Playoffs presented by Google.
20:37Coach for the Nuggets David Adelman with Lauren Jabbaro.
20:44Coach you told me pregame that you want to just settle in not focus on it being a closeout game.
20:48How would you feel the first 12 minutes have gone in terms of settling in with this crowd.
20:52Yeah we did a nice job.
20:53You know offensively it's a road game.
20:56We don't have to run and play crazy.
20:58Get yourself organized.
20:59Get a good shot each time down.
21:01Got Jamal loose a little bit.
21:03He's in a good rhythm.
21:04Defensively one of eight for them from three.
21:06How do you continue to force them into some difficult shots.
21:09Yeah it's tough.
21:10You know you have to contest.
21:11We got to help with Kawhi and James.
21:13Just to have a great fly around mentality.
21:15Contest everything and we've got to win the defensive rebound.
21:18Much appreciated.
21:19Good luck.
21:21Well he's right.
21:22I mean they've done a great job getting Murray going.
21:24He just got another really good look right there as we played the interview.
21:30They got to be really really happy with that.
21:33And the Clippers have had good shots.
21:35They're just not knocking them down.
21:37It's their first trip to the free throw.
21:39Clippers got to be pleased to be just down three honestly.
21:43Just one made three in the first quarter.
21:45No free throw attempts.
21:47It's hard knocks in the first free throw.
21:51Hey don't miss a playoff moment with the NBA app.
21:54Get the latest scores highlights and behind the scenes access to all the drama.
21:58You can download the NBA app powered by Microsoft.
22:02James Harden two for two.
22:04He's got six points and as Nuggets fans are aware of any time Jokic is on the bench.
22:13He plays the entirety of the first quarter.
22:15These are the key minutes for both teams here with Jokic sitting.
22:19And these have been the successful minutes for the Nuggets in their wins as Westbrook takes a shot to the head.
22:26But DeAndre Jordan the former Clipper with the offensive foul picks up his second already.
22:31Well here it is and he just hooks Derrick Jones Jr.
22:35That was an easy call for Tyler Ford.
22:39Nuggets have won the last two games.
22:42And the non-Jokic minutes they've only gone minus two.
22:47Yes they are in the negative.
22:49But as we mentioned in game five that's a victory for Denver.
22:54Absolutely you said it and you're absolutely right.
22:56If they can keep it close with Jokic on the bench.
23:00Bogdanovich who's really was a factor in that big fourth quarter where they almost made the comeback in game four.
23:08Had his best game in game five.
23:10And now gets a tip in early right here in game six.
23:14Defending corner.
23:16And that's going to be a loose ball foul on the Clippers.
23:20James Harden is irate.
23:24Saying that DeAndre Jordan pushed him.
23:30Certainly the Clippers could challenge if they wanted.
23:32I don't see anybody behind the Clipper bench thinking that's challengeable.
23:36And there's Jokic's off the floor minutes.
23:40Now those are the.
23:41They won game one Denver did.
23:42They were minus eight.
23:43They covered that.
23:44But then.
23:45They did a terrific job.
23:47Got great production from their bench.
23:49In the last two games.
23:51Most of that offensive production coming from Westbrook.
23:54Murray finds him.
23:56And a.
23:58Shot clock violation.
24:00Clippers lock him down.
24:02And the Nuggets turn it over.
24:04That was great shot clock awareness by the Clipper defense that can run a second defender at Murray.
24:13Because they knew he didn't have time to make the pass.
24:16Another missed three.
24:17Jordan flying high for the rebound.
24:20Clippers one out of twelve from deep range.
24:24Only Batum has made a three.
24:26And yet they lead it by one.
24:28Here's Gordon.
24:29Gordon.
24:30Got it.
24:31There.
24:32Gordon.
24:33Two more.
24:36Aaron Gordon just had a great.
24:38Season.
24:39Other than the injuries had a great season.
24:42And a great series so far.
24:44Really improved his shooting off this year.
24:47Been a big story.
24:48Murray pulls down the board on the miss.
24:50Murray running.
24:51Harden jumps in his way and forces a bad pass.
24:54That was James Harden there with a good defense.
24:57Harden drives and lays it in.
25:00Excellent on both sides.
25:02Yes he was.
25:03Yes he was.
25:07And I know it's one thing the Clippers would like to and probably need to do is force a few more turnovers to get them out in transition.
25:16Denver with only 10.
25:18In game five.
25:19Their lowest total.
25:20And they're going to get a foul.
25:23On Batum.
25:27Harden got him in the air force that bad pass.
25:29Brown wasn't quite ready for it.
25:31And the turnover results in an easy layup.
25:36Denver with four turnovers Clippers have turned it into six points.
25:41Clippers who turned it over 20 times in game one have really protected the ball well since only two turnovers.
25:48Well they've only averaged 11 in the four games since that that game one.
25:54You go back.
25:55Kawhi Leonard had seven of those turnovers in game one.
25:58And only two assists.
25:59But since then with Kawhi 24 assists six turnovers a four to one assisted turnover ratio.
26:06That's high quality point guard play let alone a wing guy like Kawhi Leonard.
26:12Yeah dramatic numbers there.
26:13Significant drop of the turnovers.
26:15Harden crossover gets a step on corner.
26:18And Harden once again.
26:20And David Adelman calls the timeout.
26:24So the Clippers getting excellent defense on one end.
26:27And Harden going to the basket on the other.
26:36Dying to win presented by Levi's.
26:38And how about the opposite ends of the spectrum these two coaches are Stan.
26:42Well you said it before the game.
26:44Ty Lue in his ninth year as a head coach.
26:47David Adelman in his ninth game as a head coach.
26:50But do not discount 10 years as a high school coach.
26:55David Adelman said that's where he gained his voice.
26:58And also don't discount David Adelman's been around the NBA game his entire life.
27:04His dad Rick one of the ten guys in NBA history that has won over a thousand games.
27:11David Adelman knows what it's like in an NBA locker room.
27:15He puts Jokic back on the floor.
27:17Things were not going well for Denver.
27:20Jokic immediately fouls his Serbian Olympic teammate Bogdan Bogdanovich who will go to the line.
27:26As we send it over to Lauren.
27:28Guys hearing from David Adelman pregame he said as a kid his dad would pull him out of school for a week
27:33to join NBA road trips.
27:34He said he wasn't on the bench but he was in the locker room at the press conferences
27:38watching how teams handled wins losses everything in between.
27:41He said I wasn't in it but I was in it and said that behind the scenes rhythm the emotional ups and downs
27:46kind of shaped how he sees the game today and it quietly laid the foundation for his own path in coaching.
27:51Thank you Lauren and he stepped into a really tough spot.
27:54Michael Malone took him to a championship had a decade with the Nuggets fired right at the end of the season.
28:00Adam and only coached three games.
28:02One ball.
28:03And as Stan mentioned his ninth game.
28:06He is six and two right now.
28:08He still has the interim label on him.
28:10And he's following a great coach.
28:13But as Westbrook knocks down a three.
28:16But you gotta give his dad credit for taking him out of school for a week.
28:21The education he got in those kind of times has certainly served him better than most of the education you would get as Batum gets splittered on a great cut.
28:33Puts the Clippers back up three, four minutes into this second quarter.
28:38Westbrook got caught in the air and throws it away.
28:41That is the fifth turnover this quarter for Denver.
28:45They get their sixth this quarter.
28:47They've got seven total.
28:48Well on Ty Lue we haven't given him enough credit yet as Harden goes to the ring.
28:52Ty Lue changed his rotation when he took Zubats out instead of Ben Simmons.
28:59They've just played small and Batum is on Jokic.
29:04It allows him to switch all the pick and rolls.
29:07And they've got more shooting speed and quickness on the floor.
29:12Gordon from the corner comes up short.
29:16Big minutes right here for the Clippers.
29:18Adamant puts Jokic back on and they've gone on a run now.
29:21They lead it by five.
29:23Here goes Leonard fouled by Gordon.
29:25Gordon picking him up on the perimeter.
29:27We're going to get a little zone here out of the Nuggets.
29:34Harden just knifing his way to the basket.
29:37They need a big game from James Harden.
29:39He's got twelve already.
29:41He's only missed twice.
29:43Here's Bogdanovich.
29:44No good.
29:45Coming off the eighteen point game five.
29:47He's got to knock that down.
29:49That's a wide open warm up level three for a great shooter.
29:54He needs to make that.
29:56Jokic going to work on Batum taking advantage of that size mismatch.
30:00Yeah.
30:01And you know what?
30:02A lot of people are saying why don't they post him more?
30:04Because then it's hard to get him the ball.
30:06They can get it to him at the elbow and they're confident he can get himself to the rim.
30:11Norman Powell goes right back at the Nuggets picks up the foul.
30:16That's two on Jokic at that end.
30:18And I like the way they're attacking him.
30:21We've seen Norman Powell do it a couple of times tonight and he draws that foul.
30:26Fourteen foul for Denver.
30:28Next one's going to put the Clippers to the free throw line in the bonus.
30:32And we've got 653 remaining in the second quarter.
30:35Powell's been great at home.
30:37Had his two best games here at Intuit Dome.
30:41Ty Lue said he feels comfortable here.
30:43He had such a great season.
30:44Moved into that starting lineup.
30:46Was having an all star caliber season until the hamstring injury derailed him.
30:52He missed 22 games.
30:54Was averaging 24 a game.
30:56And then coach when he came back returned for the last 14 minutes.
31:00He was not the same kind of score but also Kawhi Leonard was back with the Clippers.
31:05Not the same kind of role.
31:06Exactly.
31:07That's what really changed for Norman Powell.
31:10And that is Batum's eighth block of the series.
31:14Wow.
31:15That's going to be Denver ball as the Clippers can't move it on the fast break.
31:21But how about this by Nick Batum.
31:23What a great recovery.
31:25That's great pursuit and not giving up on a play.
31:29That's the defensive will it's going to take for the Clippers to win this game.
31:33Jokic rounded it.
31:34They surround him and force another turnover.
31:38Seventh of this quarter.
31:40Bogdanovich ducks his head.
31:42And who touched it last?
31:44Christian Brown wants him to challenge.
31:48Bogdanovich wants them to challenge.
31:50I thought Bogdanovich touched it last as well.
31:52David Adelman says no.
31:53Well he went to his people and they said no don't challenge that.
31:59He's got a lot of spice to it right now as Harden draws the contact.
32:05And he was in shooting motion.
32:10Jokic upset about the non call at the other end.
32:19Clearly behind the line he'll get three shots.
32:23Harden looking like his regular season self.
32:26Harden had a tremendous finishing kick.
32:29Last 21 games average over 26.
32:33Clippers won 18 of those final 21 games.
32:39Harden on the drive.
32:41Great little hesitation there.
32:43And then just attacks all the way to the rim in transition.
32:47Gets the switch under Michael Porter Jr.
32:50And gets to that left hand.
32:51Now he's at the free throw line.
32:53And look.
32:54How do you overcome one for 14 three point shooting?
32:58Well the Clippers have six more field goal attempts.
33:02And after this one we'll have six more free throw attempts.
33:06As we see what Harden's done in his playoff career.
33:09Much better in games one through four than games five through seven.
33:14But tonight James Harden is getting it done.
33:19Nobody drew more fouls beyond the three point line than Harden in the NBA this year.
33:25And he knocks them all down.
33:27Michael Porter Jr.
33:28Getting that left shoulder tended to.
33:30The shoulder he injured in game two.
33:32Jokic just pulls his way in.
33:35And Jokic lays it in.
33:37Wanted a foul.
33:38Jokic he can give you whatever you want.
33:41He can be a passer.
33:42A shooter.
33:43And he can certainly go in the paint.
33:46There's no question about that.
33:47And he's smart.
33:48He knows where his advantage is.
33:50In any given matchup.
33:52He's trying to pick up Leonard.
33:54Leonard can't get the bounce.
33:56Murray with the rebound.
33:57Look at Jokic run.
33:58Trying to push up Leonard.
34:02Which he does.
34:03Westbrook gets it to him.
34:05Harden shows a little help.
34:07But there is Jokic.
34:08That is automatic right now.
34:10With the size mismatch on the floor.
34:12And look.
34:13There's no possible way.
34:15That Leonard can guard him down there.
34:17But he can take away his left shoulder.
34:19At least.
34:20And make him go back to a sideways.
34:22Not as efficient.
34:23And Harden.
34:24And Harden.
34:25Now with 18 points.
34:27And 14 in the corner.
34:31As he buries a three pointer.
34:34Just the third of the game.
34:3746-39.
34:39Clippers lead it by seven.
34:44C.J. Stroud in the building.
34:46From Rancho Cucamonga.
34:47The Inland Empire.
34:48And you know he's got his eyes on that.
34:50Rockets Warriors game tomorrow on ESPN.
34:53Starts at 9 Eastern.
34:54Chris Paul in the house as well.
34:57Great Clipper.
34:58And a front row seat to enjoy this one.
35:02Well my brother will be really happy that C.J. Stroud is.
35:06I would think you're supporting the Clippers.
35:08My brother would be in a Houston, Texas season ticket.
35:13Jokic is fouled on his way to the basket.
35:15Coming out of that timeout.
35:16Yeah.
35:17The Clippers go to the zone.
35:19To try to give them a little bit of a different look.
35:22But not great defense there at all.
35:25Too easy for the ball to get in the paint.
35:28I'm thinking your brother is so dialed in.
35:31He hasn't even acknowledged one person in the crowd at this point.
35:34Tommy doesn't even know C.J. Stroud is here.
35:38He's focused.
35:39No you're right about that.
35:4025-10-10 coach in a playoff series all time.
35:44Jokic is doing that now.
35:46It would be the third time.
35:48Just incredible names on this list.
35:50Including his current teammate Russell Westbrook who did it back in the 2017 first round.
35:55But my guy at the top of that list Oscar Robertson.
35:59Who one of the phenomenal players in NBA history.
36:03But the guy after five years was averaging 30-10 in the NBA.
36:09As Russell Westbrook has all of a sudden in the last couple of games become Steph Curry.
36:14He is a deadly three-point shooter from the corners.
36:18But the story in this series anyway.
36:20In the games in which the Nuggets have won have been those wing threes that he has made.
36:24Just like that one.
36:26Here's Dunn.
36:27Back on the floor.
36:28Misses his second three-point drive.
36:30Murray pushes.
36:31Murray crossover.
36:32Gives it up.
36:33Jokic is there.
36:34And Jokic puts it in.
36:36Took a shot to the lower region.
36:38Yes he did.
36:39And just great touch.
36:40Nice pass by Murray.
36:42I know fans look at that as close to the basket.
36:45A guy like Shaq can tell you how hard those shots are for big guys in the touch it takes.
36:52Zubac puts it on the deck.
36:54Turn around.
36:55Jump.
36:56Hook is good.
36:57Nice move by Evita Zubac.
36:58There's another guy with great touch around the basket.
37:05Nuggets on a 10-4 run here.
37:07They pulled it within three by Steele Powell.
37:10Powell and Vodonovic were on the floor.
37:12Powell.
37:13Nothing there.
37:14Turned away.
37:15Westbrook ahead.
37:16The old kids get back.
37:17Eight turnovers now for the Nuggets.
37:20In the quarter.
37:22Great screen by Zubac.
37:24Chris Dunn wide open.
37:26Vodonovic with another offensive rebound that then takes an almost impossible shot.
37:33Vodonovic has been good on the glass.
37:36And some big offensive boards in the Clippers' comeback.
37:39They didn't win the game in game four.
37:41But he was a big part of that comeback.
37:44As Jokic misses.
37:46Zubac clears it away.
37:48Jokic trying to draw the foul there against Zubac's outstretched arm.
37:53And Zubac pulled back his arm and turned it into a tough shot for Jokic.
37:59Harden stalking Brown.
38:00Fires a three.
38:01Hits another one.
38:02James Harden with a second made three.
38:03Twenty-one points in the first half.
38:04Seventeen in the quarter for Harden.
38:05Most of the quarter this series did have a fifteen point first quarter in game one.
38:08But it's a big second quarter here tonight.
38:09Well it's great to see for the Clippers as Westbrook's going to try to get a three the old-fashioned way.
38:15But for the Clippers and Harden after that thirty-two point game one he's only averaged sixteen a game in the next four.
38:22Look at Westbrook just turns the corner.
38:23No real pick there.
38:24And he just gets all the way to the rim.
38:25Westbrook missed the game.
38:26And he just gets all the way to the rim.
38:27Westbrook missed the game in the next four.
38:28Now he was able to get a three-point first quarter in game one.
38:29And it's a big second quarter here tonight.
38:30Well it's great to see for the Clippers as Westbrook's going to try to get a three the old-fashioned way.
38:35But for the Clippers and Harden after that thirty-two point game one he's only averaged sixteen a game in the next four.
38:43Look at Westbrook just turns the corner no real pick there.
38:48And he just gets all the way to the rim.
38:51Westbrook missed game four.
38:54That was the epic game of this series.
38:59Clippers were down twenty-two came all the way back to take the lead.
39:02And then the Gordon put back.
39:03Jokic had a big shot in that and too late.
39:06But Westbrook missed that game.
39:08He had rolled his foot prior to the game in the pregame warm-ups.
39:12And then he came back with a vengeance.
39:14He had gained five twenty-one points off the Nuggets bench in just twenty-five minutes.
39:19In the game five win.
39:22Powell all the way across the court.
39:24Done.
39:25Guarded by Westbrook.
39:26Done.
39:27Leaves it for Leonard.
39:28Tough shot.
39:29Kawhi Leonard.
39:30That's a great cut by Leonard.
39:32And a nice pass from Norman Powell.
39:35Jokic drives his way in.
39:38And then the soft touch.
39:40All of the force leading to all of the skill at the end.
39:44You know people who want to say he's not athletic are people who don't understand athleticism.
39:49They only see it as running fast and jumping high.
39:53They don't understand like the deceleration we saw in that play from a very big guy.
39:59That is athleticism.
40:01Jokic did pick up the two fouls in this second quarter.
40:06But Jokic with sixteen points already.
40:09Four rebounds.
40:10He's got four assists.
40:11He's got a couple of steals.
40:13Turned it over three times as well.
40:16Well, look.
40:17The one problem for Denver is they're shooting sixty-two percent.
40:22And they're behind in this game.
40:25Murray.
40:26The two is on him.
40:29Murray gets it in the air.
40:31Murray no good.
40:32Jokic is there.
40:33Jokic with the offensive board of the putback.
40:36That's only the second offensive rebound in the game for the Nuggets.
40:42They now only have four second chance points.
40:45Jokic with thirteen in the corner.
40:48Harden drives.
40:49Swings it out to Kawhi Leonard and catch.
40:53Not quite sure why Christian Brown wouldn't rotate to Leonard on that and leave Batum.
40:59But great pass by Harden.
41:01His fourth assist of the night to go with his twenty-one points.
41:05Stars are here tonight for sure.
41:07Harden and Kawhi Leonard delivering in this first half.
41:11Murray and Jokic.
41:13Too bad game.
41:14And now in the corner, that's Peyton Watson for three.
41:16Big shot.
41:17Peyton Watson hits one out of the corner.
41:20Well, and tonight now, the bench is turned a little bit.
41:25Thirteen to six in Denver's favor from the game.
41:30Two for one opportunity if they want it, not anymore.
41:37And Jokic scores.
41:39Murray was patient.
41:41Zubac was guarding him.
41:43And Jokic had free reign in the paint.
41:46Well, and Murray now with six assists.
41:49Got those twelve early points.
41:51Now has become a playmaker.
41:53Six assists and six rebounds.
41:55To go with his twelve points.
41:57Clippers had an eight-point lead.
41:59Now the Nuggets back in front.
42:01And Harden, no good.
42:04Clock ticks.
42:05Zubac puts it in.
42:07Right at the end of the quarter.
42:09And that will take us to the half.
42:12Just like we hoped it would be.
42:15It is tight.
42:163-2 Denver series lead.
42:19Clippers facing elimination.
42:21They take a one-point lead into the half.
42:24Jokic goes for 20.
42:25Harden for 21.
42:27And you're watching the first round presented by...