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.

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.

Fans erupt after a violent dunk and technical-foul-earning rim hang by Russell Westbrook (4) during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 120-101 series-clinching win over the LA C