Prime Highlights

• Kawhi Leonard dumped in 39 points to lead the LA Clippers past the Denver Nuggets, 105-102, in Game 2 of the playoffs.
• The magic of the fourth quarter along with Leonard’s shooting range resulted in tying up the series to 1-1 for the Clippers.

Key Facts

• Leonard shot 15-of-19 from the field, 4-of-7 from behind three-point lines, and was 5-for-5 on the line.
• Nikola Jokic triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists was equaled by him also recording seven turnovers.

Key Background

Los Angeles Clippers tied Western Conference playoff series at 1-1 in wild Game 2 with 105-102 win over Denver Nuggets. Kawhi Leonard had all the attention to himself, and he did not disappoint with one of his more uncontrolled playoff games. With 39 points on a mere 19 shots, Leonard dominated the court in both senses. He used his old-school cool shot off pressure, particularly towards the game’s end as the game rested on the outcome.

Leonard’s shooting was nearly perfect—registering 78.9% in the paint and 57.1% outside the three-point line. He contributed three rebounds, five assists, and two steals, exhibiting his usual all-around skill. His performance was a response to the Clippers’ Game 1 defeat in the Garden following turnovers being largely at fault for their meltdown. Game 2, however, was played by a more composed team of Clippers, registering only a single turnover during the fourth quarter.

The bench assisted as well. James Harden contributed 18 points and a tough nose-up presence, and Ivica Zubac contributed a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double. Norman Powell contributed 13 points off the bench as well, giving the Clippers the offense depth they needed to coast through Denver’s late charge.

Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double for the Nuggets, but seven turnovers kept his team from getting away in a game that remained close until the final minutes. Jamal Murray chipped in 23 points, and Michael Porter Jr. rebounded from a pathetic Game 1 with 15 points and 15 rebounds. For all they did right, the Nuggets were unable to seal it out late and instead fail to even react to Leonard’s burst on offense.

As the series travels west to California for Game 3, both franchises have to do something other. The Clippers will attempt to weather Leonard’s heroics and superior ball handling, and the Nuggets have to shut their execution down in order to gain the momentum in this quickly shifting competitive series.