2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #4 Denver Nuggets vs #5 LA Clippers (DEN leads 1-0)

[_NoMas]

LAC has elite defenders at the guard (Dunn), wing (DJJ, Kawhi) and big man (Zu, Batum, Simmons) positions, as well as elite playnaking/shooting/scoring and depth. And yet Denver has Jokic and I just think that’ll be enough. Denver in 6.

Think you throw around the word elite too easily.

What the Clippers have is a big man but not sure if he can stop Joker. Not sure if Zubac can push around Joker for rebound and scoring.

What the Clippers have is a healthy Kawhi. Can AG stop him? I saw AG play inspired defense against Bron but Kawhi is a bit quicker attacking and shot release. This will be the key!

The other Q: will playoff Harden show???

I think Zubac has an argument to be a top 3-5 big man in the playoffs to be honest. Maybe I’m too high on him, but he’s elite to me.

[OkcSinceSGA]

LAC has elite defenders at the guard (Dunn), wing (DJJ, Kawhi) and big man (Zu, Batum, Simmons) positions, as well as elite playnaking/shooting/scoring and depth. And yet Denver has Jokic and I just think that’ll be enough. Denver in 6.

Think you throw around the word elite too easily.

What the Clippers have is a big man but not sure if he can stop Joker. Not sure if Zubac can push around Joker for rebound and scoring.

What the Clippers have is a healthy Kawhi. Can AG stop him? I saw AG play inspired defense against Bron but Kawhi is a bit quicker attacking and shot release. This will be the key!

The other Q: will playoff Harden show???

Not really though. Dunn was the leader among all guards and wings (2nd overall in the NBA) in D-EPM. Most media have said he he wasn't disqualified due to minutes he would be on their 1st or 2nd team defense. Zu WILL make 2nd team defense most likely. Kawhi is back to his usual defensive form. Batum is still amazing on defense. The only ones you could argue aren't outstanding defensively are Simmons and DJ, but both are way above average at their best defensively.

[PeteyPablo]

it is the year 2025 and James Harden does not depend on flopping and getting calls. Go back and watch a game from this season.
He is 35 years of age and has realized a few things. He is no longer a young buck.

He has publicly gave credit to getting more sleep and allowing his body to rest and recover. He also stopped practicing too much before and after games.

Since the All Star break , he has taken his game to elite levels. He was not going to allow the Clippers to be in the play in games. The Clippers went 50-32 with Kawhi Leonard missing the first half of the season. For reference , the Houston Rockets were the 2nd seed in the western conference with a record of 52-30. Clippers could be the 2nd seed if Kawhi played a few more games.

James Harden led the Clippers along with the brilliant play from Zubac , Powell , Cris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr.

[TheGOATWill]

This feels like the best game 1 of the weekend and the best series. Assuming Adelman doesn't get the yips. Jokic/Zubac is really interesting and I think Gordon is going to bother Kawhi a lot. It will come down to what Murray can do vs that gauntlet of Clips perimeter defenders. Give me the clips in 7 by a whisker.

[LeBronSpaghetti]

Man what happened to AG’s face… he says he can’t remember but got hit sometime in the regular season. Has a black eye and a fat lip, seems like something you’d remember if it happened on camera in game.

Watch on YouTube

;t=29s&pp=0gcJCX4JAYcqIYzv

[OkcSinceSGA]

Watch on YouTube

[Wolfgang630]

Did AG get into a fight?

[LakersSoul]

This feels like the best game 1 of the weekend and the best series. Assuming Adelman doesn't get the yips. Jokic/Zubac is really interesting and I think Gordon is going to bother Kawhi a lot. It will come down to what Murray can do vs that gauntlet of Clips perimeter defenders. Give me the clips in 7 by a whisker.

Yeah, I agree. AG is younger and taller. Not sure who the Clippers have to guard him esp now that he has upped his shooting esp from long distance.

AG is also athletic af and that’s gonna bother Kawhi.

Kawhi normally picks on smaller or skinnier players but AG is built like a truck.

If you limit Kawhi, then Clippers are done.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Read on Twitter

Harden: SGA deserves MVP but Jokic is the best player in the game.

[PeteyPablo]

This feels like the best game 1 of the weekend and the best series. Assuming Adelman doesn't get the yips. Jokic/Zubac is really interesting and I think Gordon is going to bother Kawhi a lot. It will come down to what Murray can do vs that gauntlet of Clips perimeter defenders. Give me the clips in 7 by a whisker.

Yeah, I agree. AG is younger and taller. Not sure who the Clippers have to guard him esp now that he has upped his shooting esp from long distance.

AG is also athletic af and that’s gonna bother Kawhi.

Kawhi normally picks on smaller or skinnier players but AG is built like a truck.

If you limit Kawhi, then Clippers are done.

Clippers were a 4th/5th seed all season with out Kawhi

Limit him and they still have Harden , Zubac , Powell, Bogdanich, Derrick Jones Jr

[LakersSoul]

This feels like the best game 1 of the weekend and the best series. Assuming Adelman doesn't get the yips. Jokic/Zubac is really interesting and I think Gordon is going to bother Kawhi a lot. It will come down to what Murray can do vs that gauntlet of Clips perimeter defenders. Give me the clips in 7 by a whisker.

Yeah, I agree. AG is younger and taller. Not sure who the Clippers have to guard him esp now that he has upped his shooting esp from long distance.

AG is also athletic af and that’s gonna bother Kawhi.

Kawhi normally picks on smaller or skinnier players but AG is built like a truck.

If you limit Kawhi, then Clippers are done.

Clippers were a 4th/5th seed all season with out Kawhi

Limit him and they still have Harden , Zubac , Powell, Bogdanich, Derrick Jones Jr

You talk like Denver doesn’t have Joker!

[hardenASG13]

This feels like the best game 1 of the weekend and the best series. Assuming Adelman doesn't get the yips. Jokic/Zubac is really interesting and I think Gordon is going to bother Kawhi a lot. It will come down to what Murray can do vs that gauntlet of Clips perimeter defenders. Give me the clips in 7 by a whisker.

Yeah, I agree. AG is younger and taller. Not sure who the Clippers have to guard him esp now that he has upped his shooting esp from long distance.

AG is also athletic af and that’s gonna bother Kawhi.

Kawhi normally picks on smaller or skinnier players but AG is built like a truck.

If you limit Kawhi, then Clippers are done.

Clippers were a 4th/5th seed all season with out Kawhi

Limit him and they still have Harden , Zubac , Powell, Bogdanich, Derrick Jones Jr

Powell will be key, he hasn't been great since returning from injury. It's weird people here are saying the Clippers are loaded compared to Denver. If Denver had just quit on Malone defensively, and step that up now, I like them in 7. But if they defend the way they have been Clippers in 6.

[TroubleS0me]

Will Murray & Porter show up?
& then there's the Westbrook experience...

[Lala870]

Will Murray & Porter show up?
& then there's the Westbrook experience...

If the Nuggets dont make a run this year MPJ should donate his contract back to the city of Denver.

Dude has been a traffic cone in so many important games.

[Mavrelous]

Will Murray & Porter show up?
& then there's the Westbrook experience...

Murray is a big game player, he'll show up, this should be Porter's last chance, if he doesn't he should be packaged for any other player...

[durden_tyler]

Final answer (after going back and forth with these teams in my brackets. LOL): Denver Nuggets in six games, maybe 7 out of respect for the Clippers. i just can't see Jokic losing in the first round after a historical regular season (where he won't win the MVP award, which should add to his motivation).

GO JOKIC, GO NUGGETS!

[LakersSoul]

Final answer (after going back and forth with these teams in my brackets. LOL): Denver Nuggets in six games, maybe 7 out of respect for the Clippers. i just can't see Jokic losing in the first round after a historical regular season (where he won't win the MVP award, which should add to his motivation).

GO JOKIC, GO NUGGETS!

Definite along with Houston/GSW series, either teams can win. Whoever wants and battles harder will win.

My guess is that Joker will not let the Nuggets lose.

Nuggets in 6.

[ProcessDoctor]

A lot to prove on both sides, can't wait for this series. There will be some narrative either way. Hoping both teams stay healthy so we can actually have a good series.

[Tomhomes33]

Jokic shooting over Zubac when guarded 1on1
28/73
Les than 40%
This is the lowest % anybody in NBA has over Jokic

[BelgradeNugget]

Jokic shooting over Zubac when guarded 1on1
28/73
Les than 40%
This is the lowest % anybody in NBA has over Jokic

Jokic vs Clippers this season in 3 games.

28.3/10/5.7 on 54.2%/52.4%/62.5%

Zubac is a great defender, that is why Jokic is not going at him in 1on1 so much. Some of it is just trying to put him into foul trouble.
Problem for Clippers could be Jokic on perimeter and Zu on him, with nobody to protect the paint against Nuggets cutters.