Denver Vs LA Clippers: The First Four GamesGame 1: Perko Continues MVP Form In Win
The Denver Nuggets took the first game of the Western Conference Finals with an 88-79 win over the Clippers. It was a return to form for Kevin Durant, who top scored with 27 points. J.R. Smith's scoring average continues to slip, but he still managed to score 17. It was the third player of the big three that made the most impact though. Borislav Perko recorded another triple-double, this time having a 3 by 15 game. He tallied 15 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists. In a series that has the top two contenders for the regular season MVP, Perko managed to outshine them both with his performance. Coming off the bench, Adrian Young and Taylor MacKenzie scored 10 each to complement Denver's starters.
Ollie Rose was the top scorer for both teams with 30 points and he received excellent support from Ricardo Carlos, who scored 20 himself. But elsewhere they had a hard time manufacturing points, as P.J. Davies was the only other double-digit scorer with 11.
Denver go up 1-0 in the series with this performance.
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LAC@DEN
DEN: 88 (Durant 27, Smith 17, Perko 15)
LAC: 79 (Rose 30, Carlos 20, Davies 11)
Sprite Performer of the Game: Borislav Perko 15 points 16 rebounds 16 assists
Rebounds
DEN: Perko 16
LAC: Cox 9
Assists
DEN: Perko 16
LAC: Wagner 9
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Game 2: Clippers Level Series In OT
After an extra period was needed, the Los Angeles Clippers came away with a 106-100 win over Denver in game 2. Trailing 88-85, the Clippers had the last play of regulation to tie the game up, with P.J. Davies hitting the three to send it to OT. Here's how it unfolded:
Davies finished the game with 24 points. After his shot, the Clippers had all the momentum in the overtime period and were simply too good for the defending champs. Even though Davies' big shot kept them in the game, it was Ricardo Carlos who was the truly outstanding player, scoring 34 points and picking up 11 rebounds in a huge game for the makeshift power forward. Ollie Rose played an unfamiliar supporting role to Carlos and Davies, scoring 21, while Philipp Wagner reached a double-double with 12 points and 14 assists.
The loss soured what was another amazing effort from Borislav Perko, who picked up another triple-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 16 assists. With players like Taylor MacKenzie (24) and Kevin Durant (23) both contributing at a high level, and J.R. Smith (18) having a solid game as well, this as definitely a game that the Nuggets could have won. But they were simply overwhelmed by an excellent Clippers side.
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LAC@DEN
(OT)
LAC: 106 (Carlos 34, Davies 24, Rose 21)
DEN: 100 (MacKenzie 24, Durant 23, Smith 18)
Sprite Performer of the Game: Borislav Perko 15 points 13 rebounds 16 assists 3 blocks
Rebounds
LAC: Carlos 11
DEN: Perko 13
Assists
LAC: Wagner 14
DEN: Perko 16
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Game 3: Nuggets Rout Clippers At Staples
The Denver Nuggets hit back after their loss in game 2 by thrashing the Clippers by 90-68 in game 3. Kevin Durant again had the top scoring output for them with 24, but it was a case of groundhog day as Perko picked up yet another triple-double. It would have seemed impossible for him to take his game to another level with his previous efforts, but he found a way in this game as he flirted with a 20-20. He ended up with 22 points, 19 rebounds and 17 assists. J.R. Smith (18) and Taylor MacKenzie (16) once again played meaningful roles in Denver's victory.
It was a woeful night for the Clippers, but Ricardo Carlos could hold his head up high, as he top scored with 28. Ollie Rose had a sub-par game to say the least, with 13 points. The aforementioned were the only two double digit scorers for the Clippers, with the next best being Philipp Wagner who had 7 points.
Denver now lead 2-1 in the series.
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DEN@LAC
DEN: 90 (Durant 24, Perko 22, Smith 18)
LAC: 68 (Carlos 28, Rose 13, Wagner 7)
Sprite Performer of the Game: Borislav Perko 22 points 19 rebounds 17 assists 3 blocks
Rebounds
DEN: Perko 19
LAC: Cox 9
Assists
DEN: Perko 17
LAC: Rose 6
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Game 4: Clippers Respond In Kind
After a woeful game 3, the Clippers hit back in the series with an 85-69 victory over the Nuggets in game 4. As he proved during the season, Rose was the difference in this game, as he silenced his critics with a 35 point performance. His partner in crime, Ricardo Carlos once again had another productive night with 20 points. Even though they were the only two double figure scorers, Tim Cox, P.J. Davies and Lance Travis all scored 6 points each.
Taylor MacKenzie almost scored half of Denver's points as he came off the bench with 31. J.R. Smith was solid without looking threatening with 16 points, while Borislav Perko narrowly missed out on his 4th straight triple-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
The Nuggets simply couldn't stop Ollie Rose, who proved in this game why many people thought he should have won the regular season MVP award. He got to the hoop with ease and seemed to hit every shot. If the Nuggets want to go to their 4th straight NBA Finals series, they need to do their best to contain him.
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DEN@LAC
LAC: 85 (Rose 35, Carlos 20, Cox 6)
DEN: 69 (MacKenzie 31, Smith 16, Perko 12)
Sprite Performer of the Game: Ollie Rose 35 points 2 rebounds 1 block 2 steals
Rebounds
LAC: Cox 10
DEN: Perko 9
Assists
LAC: Carlos, Rose 7
DEN: Perko 9
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Despite both teams looking likely, no one has truly arrested the momentum in this series so far. If the trend continues, Denver will win in 7, but they'd much prefer to keep Ollie Rose away from the chance of an upset. The conclusion will be up soon.
Even if you somehow manage to get Rose in foul trouble like I recommended earlier on, they still have Harden coming off the bench.
Hoping for another Glanville flop, and Nuggets in 5.
I hope they don't run rings around my vets 
