The Denver Nuggets turned the tide with a strong defensive display, taking down the Los Angeles Clippers in a thrilling 112-110 overtime victory on April 20 to grab a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Los Angeles Clippers Top Performers:
James Harden 32 PTS | 6 REB | 11 AST | 56.7 FPS
Harden overcame early foul trouble to deliver another elite stat line, extending his strong offensive run. Over his last four games, he’s shooting 50% from the field – including three 30-point performances – while maintaining solid numbers from three and the free-throw line. He has also been remarkably consistent as a playmaker, recording double-digit assists in six consecutive games. With this level of production, he’s clearly capable of dominating this series.
Ivica Zubac 21 PTS | 13 REB | 1 STL | 40.6 FPS
Big Zu faced a tough matchup against Jokic, but he held his own, notching his fifth 20-point, 10-rebound game in his last six outings. He continued to shoot efficiently from the field, so there’s little reason for him to deliver less impactful contributions moving forward.
Kawhi Leonard 22 PTS | 6 REB | 3 STL | 34.2 FPS
Leonard continues to be an elite two-way force, scoring 22+ points in each of his last five games, including two performances with 28 or more. He’s also been highly efficient, shooting 60% from the field over his last two outings. On the defensive end, he’s racked up 3 steals in four of those games. The only drawback has been a spike in turnovers, with 12 in his last two games.
Kris Dunn 10 PTS | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 21.1 FPS
Dunn can contribute in many ways particularly on the defensive end through steals. His recent offensive improvement is also encouraging, with double-digit scoring efforts in his last two games. However, consistency is still a major concern moving forward.
Derrick Jones Jr. 4 PTS | 4 REB | 2 BLK | 17.8 FPS
Jones had a good role off the bench and contributed with solid rebounding and defense. With the starters playing under 45 minutes, he should maintain this productive bench role moving forward.
Denver Nuggets Top Performers:
Nikola Jokic 29 PTS | 9 REB | 12 AST | 67.8 FPS
Jokic came up big again, narrowly missing his fifth triple-double in recent weeks. He had to work hard on offense but still finished with his fifth 25+ point game this month—including a pair of clutch free throws to seal the win in OT. While his fantasy production has been stellar all season, he’s elevated his game even further this month, particularly on defense, recording 2+ steals in seven of his last outings.
Jamal Murray 21 PTS | 9 REB | 7 AST | 42.3 FPS
Murray dealt with a hamstring issue late in the season but has found his form at the perfect time. While he faced some noticeable struggles on offense, he made up for it with solid rebounding and playmaking. His all-around contributions may not be fully sustainable, but he’s a good bet to bounce back with a stronger offensive showing in Game 2.
Aaron Gordon 25 PTS | 8 REB | 2 STL | 39.1 FPS
Gordon closed the regular season on a high note, scoring at least 18 points in each of his last three games. He carried that momentum into today’s performance and added more with his solid 8-for-10 performance from the line, along with solid contributions in rebounding and defense. He also remains the top option for the power forward position in this series.
Russell Westbrook 15 PTS | 8 REB | 2 STL | 34.1 FPS
Russ came off the bench but played a significant role in the offense. He started slow but he was able to turn it up in the fourth and also provided solid contributions across multiple categories, particularly on the defensive end. If the team hopes to win the series, they’ll need him to maintain this level of production on a regular basis.
Christian Braun 11 PTS | 3 REB | 2 STL | 22.1 FPS
Braun’s stat line was less impactful today due to his limited offensive role, but his defensive efforts and significant minutes should help him remain fantasy-relevant.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Norman Powell 12 PTS | 3 REB | 4 AST |
Powell’s production is mostly tied to his offensive game though it wasn’t as effective today. While he compensated with good value in the secondary categories including two stocks, it’s still unlikely that he’ll maintain this level of play consistently. Despite that, he should still be a good bet for at least 20 fantasy points in Game 2.
