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Kawhi’s Clippers handle business in Game 4, Nuggets lose 96-85

By Jorie Mickens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the ball against Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 07, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives the ball against Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 07, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets looked to even their second-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

The Denver Nuggets stumbled out of their blocks to begin Game 4, shooting 1-5 from the field with three turnovers in the first two minutes. Denver trailed 9-3 when the Clippers took the first timeout of the contest with 6:55 remaining.

Los Angeles closed the quarter on a 17-9 run, taking a 26-12 advantage heading into the second quarter.

A nifty layup and a 30-foot bomb from Michael Porter Jr. got Denver going in the second, but Los Angeles kept their foot on the gas, possessing a 12-point lead (39-27) when the Nuggets took a timeout with 6:52 remaining.

Three straight 3-pointers from Denver and a 15-foot pull-up jumper by Jamal Murray cut the Clippers’ lead to ten (48-38), and Los Angeles took a timeout with 2:57 on the clock. The only basket scored in the final three minutes of the half was a Jerami Grant dunk, and Denver trailed by just eight (48-40) heading into the break.

Porter was a bright spot off the Nuggets’ bench, scoring 15 points on 5-6 shooting, and Nikola Jokic added 12 points and four assists for Denver. Still, Los Angeles’ Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 17 points at the half.

The Nuggets started the second half aggressively, drawing seven fouls in under four minutes, and cutting LA’s lead to two (52-50) with 9:08 to play. But despite Paul George sitting on the bench with four personal fouls, the Clippers responded with a 13-3 run, taking a 65-53 advantage with 6:06 to play in the quarter.

That said, Denver finished the third on a 7-2 run, and trailed by just ten (73-63) heading into the final quarter.

Montrezl Harrell was imposing his will to begin the fourth, scoring three straight baskets for the Clippers, which was part of a run that aided Los Angeles in taking a 19-point lead (88-69) with 5:44 to play.

Denver did cut LA’s lead to nine (92-83) with 2:09 to play, but it was too little, too late, as the Clippers took Game four with a 96-85 victory.

Jokic finished the contest with 26 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, but he was outdone by Leonard, who totaled 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in the contest.

The Nuggets find themselves in familiar territory, now down 3-1 in the series, and they will be battling to remain in playoff contention.

Related Story. Offense needed in must-win Game 4. light

Game 5 is set for Friday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 PM (EST).

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