Thunder’s preferred matchup: Clippers or Nuggets?
For The Hoops crew discuss whether the Thunder would prefer to face the Clippers or Nuggets in the second round of the NBA playoffs
The Los Angeles Clippers have been tabbed as having one of the best home-court advantages throughout the 2024-25 season.
The Clippers moved into the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, this season.
The new arena cost $2 billion to build and is owned by Steve Ballmer, who also owns the Clippers. The arena features a 38,000-square-foot halo-like video board over the court and a 51-row section known as “The Wall,” which is reserved for some of the team’s rowdiest fans.
Denver Nuggets interim coach David Adelman spoke about the impact of “the Wall” before Game 3 of the series.
“It’s just really loud… I love what they’re doing here,” Adelman said. “The NBA needs more of that. More creativity. That’s what we used to know when I grew up… I miss that, so it will be cool to be a part of it.”
What Adelman likely didn’t expect was to see members of the Wall in Denver during the series.
With the Clippers on the road for Game 7 of the Western Conference first-round series, Ballmer decided to bring fans to Denver.
The team owner reportedly paid for flights and at least 120 seats in a single section at the Ball Arena.
ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne pointed out that the seats are located right next to the Clippers’ bench and under the basket where the Nuggets are expected to shoot during the second half of the game.
The Clippers split the first two games against the Nuggets in Denver. Those two games were decided by a combined total of five points. The Nuggets managed to blow out the Clippers, 131-115, in Game 5.
Steve Ballmer greets Clippers fans in Denver
While it remains unclear how Ballmer managed to get access to a section of seats, Ballmer was spotted before Game 7 asking the fans to “bring it today.”
Ballmer has been featured on the broadcast of Clippers’ games in recent years for providing high energy and enthusiasm. These are attributes that aren’t commonly seen from NBA team owners sitting courtside at games.
For the fans who didn’t make the trip to Denver, the Clippers are hosting a free watch party outside of the Intuit Dome.
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