Who: Denver Nuggets (46-27, third in the Western Conference during the regular season) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (49-23, second in the Western Conference during the regular season)
What: Western Conference second round, Los Angeles leads series 1-0
When: 7 p.m. Saturday (Altitude, TNT; KIUP 930 AM, 97.3, 106.3 FM)
Where: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference second round with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Clippers won the last meeting 120-97. Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points to lead Los Angeles to the win and Nikola Jokic totaled 15 points in defeat for Denver.
The Clippers are 32-16 in conference matchups. Los Angeles has a 27-10 record against opponents below .500.
The Nuggets are 29-16 in conference matchups. Denver is 29-9 when outrebounding opponents and averages 44.1 rebounds per game.
Clippers: Leonard is averaging 27.1 points, seven rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 steals for the Clippers. Paul George is averaging 15.7 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 29.9% over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.
Nuggets: Jokic has shot 52.8% and is averaging 19.9 points for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 5.7 assists over the last 10 games for Denver.
Clippers: Averaging 125.7 points, 46.1 rebounds, 21.4 assists, 7.1 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.1 points on 46.6% shooting.
Nuggets: Averaging 108.4 points, 41.8 rebounds, 21.9 assists, 5.4 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.3 points on 49.8% shooting.
Clippers: None listed.
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar: out (foot), Will Barton: out (knee).
Associated Press
