The Denver Nuggets looked like a much different team in their 110-101 Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers than they did in Game 1. Nuggets star Jamal Murray noted that the fatigue factor played a key role in the series opener.

“We were fatigued. We never got going,” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said (via Mark Medina of USA Today). “They were fresh and took where they left off. So we scratched that game and just got ready to play.”

It certainly seemed like Denver wasn't ready to play that Game 1 at all, considering the bloodbath they went through in their first round series against the Utah Jazz.

The Nuggets only got one day of rest after going through the grueling and emotional 7-game series that also included one of the craziest finishes in any playoff game ever. In fact, Murray couldn't believe his ears when he learned shortly after their Game 7 win over Utah that their second round series would begin immediately in two days.

The Clippers simply dominated the Nuggets in Game 1 to the tune of a 23-point blowout. Denver did not stand a chance right from the get go.

However, the story was much different in Game 2, with Denver getting much more time to prepare, game plan, and get a little more time to catch their bearings. The Nuggets raced out to 44-25 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Nikola Jokic flexed his superstar form with 26 points, 18 rebounds, and four 3-pointers in the win. Meanwhile, Murray top-scored for the Nuggets with 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting.

Not many gave Denver a chance against the loaded Clippers in this series. With how Game 2 went, perhaps there is a path for the Nuggets to pull off the upset.