The Los Angeles Clippers enter Game 7 of this Western Conference battle against the Denver Nuggets with a mix of quiet confidence and hardened urgency, having fought their way through a grueling series defined by defensive adjustments, clutch shot-making, and moments of grit. Despite finishing as the lower seed, the Clippers have demonstrated an uncanny ability to steal momentum on the road, with their Game 4 blowout in Denver serving as a statement of their capability to dictate tempo and control a hostile environment. This series has been a showcase of their deep, versatile roster and the discipline instilled by head coach Tyronn Lue, who has masterfully shuffled rotations, deployed timely defensive schemes, and maximized contributions from both starters and reserves. What sets this Clippers team apart in this series is the breadth of reliable options they have offensively—while Kawhi Leonard’s status continues to be monitored due to injury management, the likes of Paul George, Norman Powell, Terance Mann, and James Harden have stepped into bigger roles, each contributing in different facets of the game. Harden in particular has embraced a more orchestrative role, facilitating offense while picking his moments to attack the rim or knock down perimeter shots. Defensively, the Clippers have made Nikola Jokić work for every touch, often sending double-teams from unpredictable angles and rotating sharply to contest outside shots, forcing Denver into uncomfortable, low-efficiency possessions when executed well.

The Clippers’ perimeter defense, headlined by George and Mann, has played a crucial role in keeping Denver’s shooters from finding consistent rhythm, and their physicality has worn down the Nuggets’ backcourt over the course of the series. On the interior, Ivica Zubac has had moments of strong positional defense, though he’ll need to be at his best in this final game to match Jokić’s relentless offensive activity. Ty Lue has also utilized small-ball lineups with success, especially when spacing the floor with shooting threats like Bones Hyland and Russell Westbrook to increase tempo and pull Denver’s rim protection out of the paint. A key X-factor heading into Game 7 is the Clippers’ ability to maintain composure under pressure, especially in late-game situations where the Nuggets thrive in high-execution halfcourt sets. Turnovers and rebounding—areas where the Clippers have been inconsistent—will be critical battlegrounds if they want to close out this game in Denver. They’ll also need to avoid falling into scoring droughts, something that has plagued them in stretches throughout the series when the ball sticks and off-ball movement stagnates. But with a veteran-laden roster, strong two-way identity, and a proven tactician at the helm, the Clippers possess the necessary ingredients to pull off the road upset. Their path to victory lies in controlling the pace, winning the battle of defensive intensity, and making timely, clutch plays in the fourth quarter. With their season on the line and a second-round berth up for grabs, expect the Clippers to come out focused, poised, and prepared to play the kind of playoff basketball that has made them a dark horse contender all season.