Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Denver Nuggets 120-97 on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Paul George scored 19 points and Marcus Morris added 18 for the Clippers.

Los Angeles shot 57% from the field in an effort that convinced coach Doc Rivers that his team has adjusted and is in the proper frame of mind.

The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference second round with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Clippers won the last meeting 120-97. Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points to lead Los Angeles to the win and Nikola Jokic totaled 15 points in defeat for Denver.

Rivers on Beverley’s importance: “He’s a defensive captain with his voice. He calls out coverages. He holds everybody responsible. And to have that voice to start games is just invaluable. Then what it does, it just leaks over to the rest of the team. So when you see him playing like that, and talking like that on defense, it helps the entire team.”

Leonard is averaging 27.1 points, seven rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 steals for the Clippers. Paul George is averaging 15.7 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 29.9% over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.

Jokic has shot 52.8% and is averaging 19.9 points for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 5.7 assists over the last 10 games for Denver.