NBA Playoffs 2020: Kawhi Leonard helps the Clippers edge close to the conference finals after Game 4 win

The Los Angeles Clippers, after their 96-85 victory in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead, are now just one win away from their first conference finals trip in franchise history. They now appear to have taken full control of their second-round series with the Denver Nuggets by capitalising off of a terrific start.

The Los Angeles based team built a double-digit lead in just about eight minutes into the game and maintained that advantage for much of the game.

Kawhi Leonard dominated, finishing with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, while Montrezl Harrell came off the bench to chip in 15.

Nikola Jokic did his thing, nearly recording a triple-double of his own with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.

Jamal Murray had a tough night, going for 18 points on 6 of 15 from the field.

As a team, the Nuggets shot 39.7 percent and turned the ball over 14 times.

Watch the Game highlights below…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDssfYv5MHo

The Clippers didn’t put up much of an offensive showpiece on the night as they shot 41.8 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from 3-point range, and had to grind out 30 free-throw attempts to keep their offense afloat.

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On such nights, the team needs its best player more than ever to turn up, and Kawhi Leonard was that man for the Clippers.

He managed to shoulder the responsibilities of his team, dropping a smooth 30 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, to go along with four steals and two blocks.

It was just another steady performance from the reigning Finals MVP who moved from defending champions Toronto Raptors to LA.

The night also marked his sixth 30-point game in 10 outings this postseason and is now averaging 29.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, while shooting 51.5 percent.

His only bad game so far was the Game 2 loss to the Nuggets, and he’s proving once again that he’s the best player in the league come playoff tim. If he continues to play like this, it would be a tough task to beat the Clippers.