James Harden responded after facing widespread criticism for his previous performance. After a quiet Game 5 where he scored just 11 points, he delivered 28 points on 10-for-20 shooting. Kawhi Leonard added 27 points and 10 rebounds. Norman Powell had his best outing of the series, scoring 24 points off the bench. The Los Angeles Clippers leaned on offensive execution and a bold halftime adjustment. That change? Head coach Ty Lue replaced Kris Dunn with Nicolas Batum to begin the third quarter. This switch altered everything.
To Batum Or Not To Dunn, That Is the Clippers’ Question
Clippers Flip the Script
Dunn had become a liability. The Denver Nuggets repeatedly ignored him on offense, sending his defender to help trap Harden. That tactic kept Harden in check during earlier games. Lue saw it, then made the call. Batum entered and stretched the floor instantly. He provided spacing, calm decision-making, and sharp defense. The Clippers began to flow.
They hit six straight shots off Batum passes in the second half. Offense looked smooth again. The Clippers’ lead grew, and Denver never caught up.
Batum Shines on Both Ends
Batum didn’t just help on offense. He shined on defense too. According to Genius IQ, he guarded both Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić for at least 15 half-court possessions each. That type of versatility is rare. Jokic noticed and praised Batum.
“Batum is a much better shooter than Kris Dunn,” Jokić admitted. “He can guard all five positions. They didn’t lose anything on defense.”
His words matched the stats. Murray exploded for 43 points in Game 5. In Game 6, Batum helped hold him to just 21.
Ty Lue’s High-Stakes Dilemma
Ty Lue now faces a choice. Should the Clippers start the veteran Batum in Game 7 or return to Dunn?
The answer may lie in how the Clippers opened the floor in Game 6. With Batum, Denver couldn’t double Harden so aggressively. Lue knows the Clippers must maximize spacing. That means Batum might start. However, Dunn brings grit and toughness. He defends well and has played key minutes all season. Lue appreciated that.
“I thanked Dunn and Ben Simmons,” Lue said. “They stayed ready. They understood the change was about winning.”
The Stats Say It All
Dunn has never been a reliable shooter. His career average from three is 32.7% on two attempts per game. This year, he tried three per game and hit 33.5%. In the playoffs, he’s at 34.6% on 4.3 tries.
Game 5 was solid—he went 3-for-4 from deep. But the problem is consistency. Defenders still sag off Dunn. That gives the defense an extra body to stop Harden. The Clippers can’t afford that in what will be a slugfest in Game 7.
Harden and Lue’s Legacy Looms
Game 6 marked Harden’s first elimination win since 2020. Lue, meanwhile, holds the second-best elimination game record among coaches with at least 15 games. This team has experience. But experience doesn’t guarantee success.
Lue must make the right call. Will it be the spacing of Batum or the defense of Dunn? The Clippers’ Batum – Dunn question could define their playoff fate.
Game 7 Awaits
Denver has played six Game 7s since 2019. They’re no strangers to high-stakes moments. Jokic said it best:
“If you like basketball—real basketball—this is the game to watch.”
Clippers fans hope the team makes the right move. That may mean leaning on Batum’s experience and shooting. Because in a game where every possession matters, the Clippers choosing Batum over Dunn might make all the difference.
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