Jokic really tests Zubac for a few possessions straight here, but Zubac doesn't back down and wins the matchup tonight. 3 stops in this stretch 1v1

Simmons is doing his job though, and is being physical with Jokic off the ball, even gets the charge on Westbrook here!

Not only are they trapping the post with Simmons in, but they are also back to trapping Murray, something they did very well in Game 2. This time the Nuggets seem ready and Jokic finds another baseline-corner cutter on the pop

The Clippers are more switchable with Batum, Simmons, and Harden - all capable of guarding the post. And with Westbrook in they are able to really shrink the gaps. Westbrook takes the open shot and misses two 3s. Gordon making those early threes may have inspired more attempts

I think the Nuggets might have come into this series thinking the Murray vs Bogdan matchup would be a good one to hunt - that has not been the case at all

Murray has a hard series ahead of him, we've already shouted out some defenders on him, now we add Derrick Jones Jr to that list!

The Clippers are certainly playing elite defense, but the Nuggets certainly got 3pt happy early with some uncharacteristic shooters: Braun and Westbrook both try here for misses

This clip is the Clippers getting back to the Game 2 gameplan. Every time they leave Jokic from a drop or trap, they are rotating hard to him. Gordon plays opposite against the rotation and DEN almost finds another baseline cutter, but LAC covers up this time

DEN tries to set two baseline screens for Murray to get free from Dunn. But Dunn chases the action beautifully and forces the contested mid range. Dunn does a perfect job of rounding the screens, if you want to learn more about that concept, read the blog here:

For the first time this game, DEN runs an inverted ball screen with Jokic as the ball handler. Causes some cluster and Jokic finds the weakside for a plus one MPJ 3 - he misses the good look. This seems to be one thing DEN can go to

How will the Clippers come out in the 2nd half up near 20? Just ask Chris Dunn! Watch this play that starts with the double under on Braun. But Dunn gets switched onto Jokic and just battles like crazy. DEN doesn't even get him the ball and instead gets a Gordon mid range

Clippers are so locked into personnel at this point and DEN is struggling. Chasing MPJ off handoffs, roaming off Gordon, going under on Braun

It just looks like the Nuggets lost their way at this point. Trying to play handoffs for Braun and Gordon. DEN doesn't even think about the Harden switch onto Jokic..

Its the NBA, so a dagger in the 3rd quarter isn't real, but this certainly felt like all the air was taking out of Denver's sails with the chase and deflection on the Jokic MPJ dho

Simmons back in and on Jokic. DEN scores in this play but I just love the physicality from Simmons here. Jokic is definitely getting frustrated

End of quarter and Simmons makes the bold and good call to go double Murray off of Jokic. Murray passes up Jokic for a cutter, pass gets deflected, turnover DEN

Zubac big block to start the 4th after a nice Zoom action from DEN

Shoutout to the ageless Batum and his switching, denials and chasing!

The Clippers don't let up. They continue to trap, rotate and scramble, and Denver just can't find a rhythm at all.

You hold Denver to 83, you’re doing a lot of things right. Denver had some early success with baseline cutters and inverted ball screen looks, but the Clippers are in control and keeping Murray and Jokic out of rhythm. Traps, rotations, 1v1s, etc

🏀 "The kids love it. I have kids fighting over who can get here earliest to get shots off before school." – Coach Garrison When passion meets performance, Noah Backboard makes it happen. Turn practice into obsession with shot-tracking that players can’t get enough of.

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