The Clippers won Game 2 at Ball Arena 105-102, and twice in the Nikola Jokic era the Nuggets have succumbed in a Game 7 at home, against Portland in 2019 and against Minnesota last year when Denver blew a 20-point second-half lead.

As for the Clippers, coach Ty Lue will have to rely on James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. The trio combined for 79 points in the must-win Game 6 on Thursday night in LA, a formula that’s been working for the Clips in this back-and-forth series.

Small Game James Harden helped the Nuggets take a 3-2 series advantage entering Thursday night. It matches his history of postseason fades as his career average sinks from 23.3 to 20.8 points in Games 5-7 in a series.