The Clippers lost to the Nuggets, four major reasons for losing, Tyron Lu played a big game

On April 30, 2025, the Clippers 115-131 Nuggets, and the Nuggets won 16 points. In the fifth game of Tianwang Mountain, James Harden's touch was warmer in the second half, but it was limited in helping the team. Nuggets guard Murray played at Kobe's level and took the game away. Although Leonard and Zubac performed well, they were still not enough to support the Clippers' giant ship, and all players needed to work together.

Later, I looked at the four major reasons for losing:

1. The first reason is that it is related to James Harden. Harden scored only 11 points in the whole game, missed the shooting in the first half, and his confidence in the second half was reduced, and he was not tough enough, so he was targeted by Murray. In the Battle of Tianwang Mountain, Harden's condition seems to have always been controversial, especially because some fans think that they are not good at it and have no spiritual attributes, and they are simply incomparable to Curry.

2. The second reason is that substitute player Batum and core player Powell shot badly in the fifth game. Batum didn't score a single point, Powell made 1 of 5 shots, Harden broke through and encountered double-team, and his outside teammates did not open it. Powell is indeed not very accurate in this round of series. What he is good at is breaking through and throwing or breaking through and layups, and shooting is not the strongest point. Batum also failed to make a shot in the fourth game, with 1 of 6 three-pointers, and this state continued to the fifth game.

3. The third reason is related to coach Tyron Lu. The Nuggets made a crazily three-pointer from the outside, Tyron Lu still used a strong offensive and weak lineup, and still adopted the tactic of double-teaming Jokic in the interior, giving Murray, Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Westbrook and other players a lot of open opportunities. The Clippers sent out an offensive lineup, but the results were still limited, especially in the fourth quarter, many of the main core players were completely out of physical fitness. If you miss the shooting and fail to make a layup, you have to rely on Zubac to get close to the basket to score points.

4. The fourth reason is that the Clippers were too lax in the first half, giving the Nuggets a chance to build momentum. The Clippers were not in a hurry in the first half. Seeing that the Nuggets kept shooting three-pointers, especially not restricting Murray, Murray was excited. He couldn't stop in the second half, and made a three-pointer in a crazy way, making a crazy breakthrough and causing damage, or assisting to the outside three-pointer, scoring 43 points and ending the game.

In short, the Clippers lost the key game 115-131, and Clippers coach Tyron Lu played a big game. After the game, Tyron Lu also said that the Clippers are very tenacious and have two superstars. It is time to show off their muscles and see you in the sixth game.