Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers was supposed to be a close game. Except that it wasn't.
The Clippers tried to keep this game close. They actually ended the first quarter with a 26-21 lead. Unfortunately for L.A., everything went downhill from there.
The Nuggets blew the Clippers out of the water by outscoring them 72-40 in the second and third quarters. The game -- and the series -- was over even before the fourth quarter had started.
Russell Westbrook played his part in the dominant win, as the former NBA MVP registered 16 points of 5-of-9 shooting, five rebounds, five assists, five steals and two triples in 27 minutes off the bench.
Westbrook collected three offensive boards in this one, which allowed him to make a little bit of history on Saturday night.
According to StatMamba, Westbrook now holds the record for the most offensive rebounds by a guard in Game 7s in the history of the NBA.
On top of that, the nine-time All-Star also has the second-most steals in a Game 7 with five his five swipes on Saturday night.
This speaks volumes about Westbrook's ability to impact the game from multiple facets, as well as his unbridled stat-stuffing prowess.
The Nuggets, who were able to take down L.A. in Game 7 with a final score of 120-101, will now need Westbrook to keep his foot on the gas. They have a tough challenge ahead in the second round as they face off against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
Game 1 of that series will be on Monday in OKC.
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