A Clippers season that exceeded expectations is difficult to appreciate in the aftermath of the blowout loss in Denver.

But the three-time NBA MVP and his Denver Nuggets teammates were the last men standing Saturday night. They outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers in a spirited and physical first-round tilt with a 120-101 Game 7 victory in front of a Ball Arena crowd that was dealing with painful memories from last year and unexpected interlopers from Southern California.

Denver used a balanced scoring attack to throttle LA, which couldn't get anything going in Game 7. The Nuggets and Thunder meet Monday in Game 1.