Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell is off to an incredible begin this season, and it could possibly be even higher if he performed in opposition to the Denver Nuggets extra usually.
Powell is averaging 23.5 factors a recreation total this season, together with 27 in three video games in opposition to Denver. He’ll get an opportunity to extend that common when the Clippers go to the Nuggets on Wednesday evening.
Powell scored 37 factors within the first assembly on Oct. 26, when he made a season-high seven 3-pointers. He added 28 factors in opposition to Denver on Dec. 1. However he scored simply 16 on Dec. 13, and it was the one time this season Los Angeles has misplaced to the Nuggets.
The Clippers, nonetheless, have one other weapon for the ultimate recreation between the groups this season in Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard made his season debut in opposition to Atlanta on Saturday evening and scored 12 factors. He had eight in Monday’s loss at Minnesota however stated he is not fearful about his numbers after simply two video games.
“We’re nonetheless easing me into the sport. We’re on no person’s timetable,” Leonard stated after the win over the Hawks. “Anyone watching that wishes to see me rating 20, 30 factors, or be aggressive, we’re not on nobody’s timeframe. We all know what’s forward of us, and now we have to maintain constructing in the best path.”
Los Angeles has been treading water with out Leonard, led by Powell’s career-high scoring whole. James Harden is second in scoring at 21.6 factors a recreation and leads the crew in common assists (8.0).
The Clippers ought to be extra rested than Denver, which misplaced 118-106 to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday evening. The Nuggets have been with out Aaron Gordon for the seventh straight recreation attributable to a proper calf pressure, and it’s uncertain he’ll swimsuit up Wednesday evening.
Extra of a priority for Denver is the supply of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who missed Tuesday’s recreation with a non-COVID sickness. Jokic left the world earlier than tip-off in opposition to the Celtics.
“He wasn’t feeling nice (Monday), and that has solely gotten worse (Tuesday), which is unlucky,” coach Michael Malone stated. “He is making an attempt to struggle by it.”
The Nuggets are 1-3 in video games with out their finest participant. Jokic is second within the NBA in scoring (31.5 factors a recreation) and assists (9.7) and third in rebounding (13.0). He’s additionally main the league in 3-point capturing at 47.3 % and has a league-leading 14 triple-doubles this season and 144 for his profession.
Gordon has missed 17 whole video games due to his proper calf. Russell Westbrook, who has moved into the beginning lineup, scored 26 factors within the loss to Boston and has a triple-double and double-double since changing into a starter.
Denver has misplaced two of its final three video games, with each losses coming at house. The Nuggets are simply 10-7 on their house courtroom this season after going 33-8 and 34-7 at house the earlier two campaigns.
–Discipline Stage Media