NBA Playoffs 2020: Paul George propels LA Clippers to take a 2-1 series lead over Denver Nugget

Paul George proved massive for the LA Clippers as he put up 32 points; Kawhi Leonard also added 23 as they outclassed the Denver Nuggets 113-107 on Monday night to grab a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final series.

The Clippers were on the back foot in the first half and trailed by as many as 12 points but were able to move two victories away from a berth in the Western Conference finals. Leonard grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and added a team-best six assists.

Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists while Michael Porter Jr came from the bench to add 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets. Jokic became the first player in Nuggets history with 14 career playoff games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Watch the Game highlights below…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4ZtpIZ-Xdc

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was held to just 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting despite scoring 50 points twice in the first round against the Jazz. However, he logged a game-high nine assists.

The Denver Nuggets gave the Los Angeles Clippers their best in Game 3, but after a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the favourite to go through in this series is around where we expected.

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• NBA Playoffs 2020: Milwaukee buys time despite being without Giannis Antetokoumpo

Paul George has picked himself up in the playoffs especially after his slow start against the Dallas Mavericks. And across his past five games, George is averaging 24.6 points on 49.4 per cent shooting from the field and 43.6 per cent from behind the arc.

Paul George is finally starting to look like Paul George again on both ends of the floor.

His help defensively was crucial in slowing down Murray and offering even token resistance to Nikola Jokic, who made mincemeat of the Clippers big men.

The Nuggets, meanwhile, wasted a dominant outing from Nikola Jokic, as their All-Star centre finished the game with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. The pressure is now on the Nuggets. If they can’t respond in Game 4, they could be done as soon as Game 5.