PREVIEW: The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers return to Ball Arena for a pivotal Game 5 showdown with their first-round series deadlocked at 2-2. Denver aims to capitalize on home-court advantage after Aaron Gordon's dramatic buzzer-beating putback secured a 101-99 victory in Game 4 to even the series. Nikola Jokić was nothing short of dominant last game, posting a historic 36-point, 21-rebound performance when the Nuggets desperately needed their MVP to step up following their Game 3 collapse. On the Clippers' side, Kawhi Leonard continues his strong playoff form alongside James Harden, while Ivica Zubac has been battling admirably against Jokić in the paint despite the difficult assignment. The Clippers might feel frustrated with the series tied at 2-2, having blown a 15-point lead in Game 1, dominated Game 3, and then suffered a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer in Game 4. Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed Los Angeles as slim 1.5-point favorites with the total set at 208.5 points, reflecting just how evenly matched these 50-32 teams appear. Both squads have played aggressively on defense throughout the series, with three of four contests finishing in the 200-207 point range and neither team consistently reaching triple-digit scoring outside of the overtime opener. With no ShotQuality data available for either team, basketball fans should prepare for another tight contest as the Nuggets look to leverage their 26-15 home record to grab the crucial series lead before heading back to Los Angeles.