Clippers vs Nuggets: LA blow 16-point lead as Nuggets force Game 6, fans want coach Rivers to be held accountable
The Denver Nuggets are not done yet. They may have been trailing by 16 points in the first half, but a stellar fourth quarter saw them blast the Los Angeles Clippers to take a 111-105 win in Game 5 on Friday. With this, the Clippers' hopes of making their first conference finals dream hinges on how they fare in Game 6 on Sunday. For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray, who had a rather quiet series, scored 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and was ably supported by Nikola Jokic — 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.
That wasn't all as the Nuggets found another hero in seasoned forward Paul Milsap who in the third quarter contributed 17 points to help the side stay alive in the game. Needless to say, Clippers fans were livid, while just about every other NBA team's fans took relentless digs at them for choking despite a healthy lead. Some just felt it was bad calls by the Clippers coach, Doc Rivers.
The Lakers fans were the first to start the ribbing. "The flippers really blew a 16 point lead to a team that wasted all their energy in their previous round, this is why the Lakers are a better team than the flippers hope this helps," read one of the tweets.
the flippers really blew a 16 point lead to a team that wasted all their energy in their previous round 🤣
— LeGoat (@iamLeGoat) September 12, 2020
this is why the Lakers are better team than the flippers
hope this helps
Meanwhile, coach Doc Rivers was not spared from the roasting as well. "Doc Rivers is the most overrated coach in NBA history," wrote a fan.
Some of the fans felt it wasn't Kawhi's fault but it was the coach who made a bad call. "Kawhi scored 13 points in the 8 minutes he played in the 4th quarter. He had a great game @DocRivers was the guy that kept Trezz & Lou Williams .20% shooting in the 4th q. Those two guys were a disaster on both ends. don't talk if you didn't watch the game it was clear Doc fault."
Kawhi scored 13 points in the 8 minutes he played in the 4th quarter. He had a great game@DocRivers was the guy that kept Trezz & Lou Williams .20% shooting in the 4th q.
— Rebirth_Of_Soul (@TrevorMartinTho) September 12, 2020
Those two guys were a disaster on both ends.
don't talk if you didn't watch the game it was clear Doc fault
"When are you guys gonna hold Doc Rivers accountable on the show! Denver started running that same offense that won them game 2. Doc has to make adjustments and be held accountable. Every one gives him a pass," read one of the comments.
When are you guys gonna hold Doc Rivers accountable on the show! Denver started running that same offense that won them game 2. Doc has to make adjustments and be held accountable. Every one gives him a pass
— Terrelle B. Sales, Ed.D (@KeNoEmTmE) September 12, 2020
A fan just felt bad. It wasn't how he expected this game to go. "I’m rooting for the clippers, but they’re making it extremely difficult. They keep blowing leads like this the regular season. They need to WAKE UP because I’m frustrated at this lazy play at the end of games. Stop blowing leads," his tweet read.
I’m rooting for the clippers, but they’re making it extremely difficult. They keep blowing leads like this the regular season. They need to WAKE UP because I’m frustrated at this lazy play at the end of games. Stop blowing leads.
— Aries Thomas (@AriesThomas1) September 12, 2020
For those who watched the game, they would feel it could have been a better-planned fourth quarter. Kawhi and Paul George added 62 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists together, but they did seem to take it easy in the final quarter and that was enough for the Nuggets to storm back and claim a win. The defensive end was fragile and this effectively cost them the game. Both teams will meet again on Sunday.