The Los Angeles Clippers started the season with plenty of doubt. Few analysts believed the Clippers had what it takes to make a compelling run to the Finals without Paul George on the roster. Kawhi Leonard’s injury issues early in the season also played a role in the narratives surrounding the team.
However, the Inglewood-based team finds itself with a 2-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets in the first round as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Game 3 was especially impressive for the Clippers, as their overall play helped them neuter Nikola Jokic’s triple-double and get the series lead.
The team’s outstanding play takes major credit for the win, but some may also point to the Intuit Dome as a factor for the team’s current lead. One of the team’s top stars shares his honest thoughts on his team’s new home’s performance in the first round.
James Harden praises the Intuit Dome’s atmosphere for the Los Angeles Clippers’ first postseason game
The Beard talked to the media about how Intuit’s first playoff game has been for him and his teammates, and he’s loving the atmosphere the fans created.
Per Brandon Marcus of The Cold Wire:
“It was a good Game 1 in Intuit [Dome],” Harden said. “It was cracking. It was loud. It was just how we expected it to be. That’s one of the reasons why we jumped out to a huge lead. They got behind us, and we just rode that wave.”
The box score of the Clippers’ 83-117 win over the visiting Nuggets showcases the incredible boost the team got from the crowd at Intuit. Harden’s 25 points were the highest out of six Clippers players who scored in double digits, with four crossing the 20-point threshold.
Meanwhile, only Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon scored more than 10 points for the visiting Nuggets. The team’s overall shooting rate was at an abysmal 40.3%, showing that the new stadium is doing its work well.
Kevin Durant mentioned earlier this season that the Intuit Dome’s Wall gave one of the most interesting playing experiences among NBA stadiums. If LA manages to complete a gentleman’s sweep against the Nuggets, it’s clear that their new home gives them a clear edge.
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