The Denver Nuggets achieved what no other team has ever done in the National Basketball Association playoffs after downing the Los Angeles Clippers, 104-89, in the decider of their Western Conference Semifinals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, USA on Wednesday (Philippine Time).
The Nuggets shut down the Clippers in the second half, outscoring them, 50-33, to pull away for good.
Jamal Murray erupted for 40 points, 20 coming in the second quarter, along with four rebounds, five assists, and one steal for the Nuggets, who became the first team ever to come back from a 1-3 deficit twice in the same postseason.
The Nuggets also needed to climb back from 1-3 down to beat the Utah Jazz in the first round.
Nikola Jokic added a triple-double of 22 rebounds, 16 points, and 13 assists with three blocks and two steals for the Nuggets, who will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the West Finals beginning Saturday (Philippine Time).
Montrezl Harrell came up with 20 points and three rebounds for the Clippers, who failed to make the national semifinals for the second time despite leading 3-1 in the second round since 2015.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, acquired during the preseason to lead the Clippers, were held to a combined 24 points on a 10-of-38 shooting.
Meanwhile, the other conference finals, the East Finals between Miami and Boston, began with the former prevailing in overtime, 117-114.
Jimmy Butler, who was relatively quiet during the regulation, came alive late into the extension with the eventual game-winning and-one with 12 seconds that put the Heat on top, 116-114.
Jayson Tatum tried to equalize for the Celtics, but Bam Adebayo swatted his dunk attempt just as the ball was already close to the basket.
Adebayo, a steady free throw shooter, still kept the door open for Boston to force another overtime as he only made a split from the free throw line off a Robert Williams foul, but Tatum missed another potential game-tying basket this time from three-point range before time expired, letting Miami escape.
Goran Dragic led the Heat with 29 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one block.
Jae Crowder added 22 points, five rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal.
Butler added 20 markers, five boards, five dimes, and two swipes.
Tyler Herro came close to a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.
Tatum came up with 30 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks for the Celtics.
Jaylen Brown added 26 points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Both Miami and Boston will meet again in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series on Friday.
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