In the early morning of November 30, the NBA regular season focus game was staged. The defending champions will face back-to-back games as they take on the Clippers on the road. The Lakers' old rivals are at the forefront of the West, ruling the league with the Big Four such as Leonard and George.
However, the Nuggets' MVP-level star Jokic missed the game due to a back injury. This undoubtedly gave the Clippers a chance to fight back against the defending champions. Still, the nuggets, known for their sharpened defense, are quite competitive.
So far this season, the Nuggets have performed well. In their last game, they beat Spurs 132-120 at home. Jokic played well, finishing with 39 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists on 17-of-29 shooting. Had it not been for the back injury, he would have been hoping for another great result in today's race.
The Nuggets' defense will be put to the test. The Clippers have formidable offensive firepower, with Leonard and George averaging 20+ points per game. In addition, role players such as Jackson and Batum are also outstanding. They will make the most of Jokic's absence and form a multi-point breakthrough against the Nuggets defense.
Despite the difficult situation, the Nuggets still have the strength to fight. Murray averaged 17 per game3 points 61 assist, the second leading point in the team. His play today was crucial. In addition, Gordon's actions will also play a key role in winning or losing. Jokic's absence has undoubtedly deprived the Nuggets of their top scorer, and the rest of the team will have to step up and take on more offensive responsibilities.
If the Nuggets can overcome the odds to beat the Clippers, it will be a huge confidence boost on the road to defending their title. Conversely, the Clippers will draw confidence from this and make the competition in the West more intense. Regardless of the outcome, today's game will be evenly matched. Let's wait and see this exciting battle of giants!
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