NBA: Nuggets rally past Clippers, taking it to Game 7 in West

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during the game 6 against the LA Clippers of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Florida, September 13, 2020. /VCG

Nikola Jokic totaled 34 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, and the Denver Nuggets overcame a 19-point second-half deficit in a 111-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers to force a Game 7 in their Western Conference semifinal series near Orlando.

It was the Nuggets' fifth consecutive win in an elimination game in these playoffs. They will need a sixth to advance to the conference finals.

"We don't have pressure," Jokic said. "All the pressure is on them. We have to play at a high level and give our best.

"To us it's just another game seven. We're going to go out there and play," the 25-year-old 7-foot (2.13m) Serbian center added.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during the game 6 against the LA Clippers of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Florida, September 13, 2020. /VCG

The Clippers, who have squandered a 3-1 series edge, have never reached a conference final in their 50-year history. They missed 10 shots in a row in the third period during a 17-0 Nuggets run.

"They came down and scored or got fouled in the third quarter and we couldn't buy a basket," Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said.

"We've just got to leave it all out on the floor, communicate and play hard on the defensive end."

Paul George scored 33 points and Leonard, last year's NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for Toronto, added 25 to lead the Clippers, who were outscored 64-35 in the second half.

"It was beautiful playing," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "Then we stopped moving the ball, stopped playing. That's what let them get back in the game.

"We clearly have the right formula. We just lost it. We lost our pace."

No team has ever recovered from a 3-1 deficit twice in the same playoff run but the Nuggets could be the first.

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket during the game 6 against the LA Clippers of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Florida, September 13, 2020. /VCG

Tuesday will also see Miami and Boston meet in the Eastern Conference final opener. All games are being played without spectators in a coronavirus quarantine bubble at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Meanwhile, Houston coach Mike D'Antoni said farewell to the Rockets on Sunday after four seasons of failing to win the championship.

D'Antoni, 69, turned down extension offers prior to this season and his contract expired when the Rockets were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers from the Western Conference semi-finals on Saturday.

(With input from agencies)