Despite being the higher seed, the Nuggets are not heavy favorites. They fired head coach Michael Malone right before the postseason, and the Clippers are benefiting from a healthy Kawhi Leonard, one of the best playoff performers ever. With the deck seemingly stacked against them, the Nuggets have a new mantra.

The Los Angeles Clippers rolled to a 117-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first playoff game at the Intuit Dome to take a 2-1 series lead.