Best – Kawhi Leonard (F) Los Angeles Clippers – 26PTS 9-16FG 1-4 3PT 7-8FT 5REB 3AST 2STL 1TO 33MIN
Wednesday’s contest between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets was a huge matchup for both teams. If the Clippers won, they clinched the 2nd seed in the Western Conference, but if the Nuggets won, they would tie for the second seed and force the Clippers to play their starters on Friday. The Clippers needed a big game from their superstars and they got it from star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard is not shy about coming up in big games as he led the Toronto Raptors last season to their first title ever as a franchise. Kawhi not only did his thing on the offensive end but he shut down Michael Porter Jr. (11PTS) who had been lighting the bubble up before this game. The bubble had not been too kind to the Clippers with Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell having to be quarantined and so-so performances to start from stars Paul George and Kawhi. But now that they clinched the 2nd seed they can rest their starters and get ready for a deep run in the playoffs.
Other Notables: James Harden G Rockets – 45PTS 13-21FG 7-14 3PT 12-14FT 17REB 9AST 3STL 6TO 35MIN; Myles Turner C Pacers-18PTS 5-14FG 8-10FT 12REB 2AST 1STL 1BLK 2TO 28MIN.
Worst – Austin Rivers G Houston Rockets – 3PTS 1-9FG 1-5 3PT 9REB 3AST 2STL 3TO 31MIN
The Houston Rockets were dealt a pretty big blow on Wednesday when they found out star PG Russel Westbrook was going to be out with a quad injury and might miss the first round of the playoffs. The Rockets have James Harden but, without Westbrook, they are losing the second half of the highest scoring duo in the league. The Rockets needed a player to step in anyway to fill what they lost with Westbrook out.
Austin Rivers got the minutes to step up on Tuesday but was a huge failure. After the Rockets fell to the Indiana Pacers, they are now in jeopardy of falling back to number 6 in the Western conference. Rivers could not get anything going but if Westbrook is out longer than initially thought, Rivers proved he cannot fill it in on his own.
Extra Trash: Paul Milsap F Nuggets – 5PTS 2-6FG 0-1 3PT 1-2FT 5REB 2AST 1TO 23MIN; Danillo Galinari F Thunder – 14PTS 2-10FG 0-6 3PT 10-10FT 2REB 1TO 21MIN.