Overview
- The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers both finished the regular season 50-32, with Denver earning the No. 4 seed via tiebreaker.
- Game 1 of the best-of-seven series tips off Saturday afternoon at Ball Arena in Denver, with both teams entering at full strength.
- Denver's Nikola Jokic, who averaged a historic triple-double this season, remains the centerpiece of the Nuggets' offense under interim coach David Adelman.
- The Clippers avoided the Play-In Tournament by winning 18 of their final 21 games, fueled by Kawhi Leonard's return and a strong defensive identity.
- Clippers coach Tyronn Lue emphasized a varied defensive approach to contain Jokic, with Ivica Zubac tasked with the primary matchup responsibility.