The first two games went down to the wire with the Nuggets taking Game 1 in overtime and the Clippers pulling out Game 2 in a thriller to send the series back to Los Angeles tied at 1-1. Game 3 was a far more lopsided affair as the Clippers cruised to a 117-83 victory to take a 2-1 series lead.

The Denver Nuggets’ second-half lead was way too big for them to fritter away. Denver walloped the Los Angeles Clippers 120-101 in Game 7 of their playoff series Saturday night to advance to face top-seeded Oklahoma City.

Leonard led Los Angeles with 14 points at the break, while Harden struggled, going just 2-of-6 for seven points. Norman Powell chipped in four, and Ivica Zubac added eight. Braun paced the Nuggets with 11 points, while Gordon and Westbrook each scored 10, and Jokic had nine.