Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell is off to a great start this season, averaging 23.5 points per game overall, including 27 points in three games against the Denver Nuggets. Powell will have another opportunity to boost his average when the Clippers visit the Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Powell has been impressive in his matchups against Denver, scoring 37 points in their first meeting on Oct. 26, making a season-high seven 3-pointers. He added 28 points against Denver on Dec. 1, but scored just 16 points in their Dec. 13 game, which was the only loss to the Nuggets this season.
The Clippers also have another weapon in Kawhi Leonard, who made his season debut against Atlanta on Saturday night, scoring 12 points. Leonard added eight points in Monday’s loss at Minnesota but mentioned he isn’t worried about his numbers after just two games.
James Harden is second in scoring for the Clippers at 21.6 points per game and leads the team in average assists with 8.0. The Clippers should be more rested than the Nuggets, who lost 118-106 to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. The Nuggets were without Aaron Gordon for the seventh straight game due to a right calf strain, and it’s doubtful he’ll play Wednesday night.
A bigger concern for Denver is the availability of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who missed Tuesday’s game with a non-COVID illness. Jokic is second in the NBA in scoring (31.5 points per game) and assists (9.7), and third in rebounding (13.0)1. He is also leading the league in 3-point shooting at 47.3 percent and has a league-leading 14 triple-doubles this season and 144 for his career.
Russell Westbrook, who has moved into the starting lineup, scored 26 points in the loss to Boston and has a triple-double and double-double since becoming a starter. Denver has lost two of its last three games, with both losses coming at home. The Nuggets are just 10-7 on their home court this season after going 33-8 and 34-7 at home the previous two campaigns.
