Veteran forward Nicolas Batum was an X-factor for the Clippers in Game 6, helping limit Nikola Jokic in the second half. Both teams will be looking for every edge they can find Saturday in Denver.

As the Nuggets prepare to host Game 7 of a first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, here are three keys to the winner-take-all elimination game.

The Clippers won Game 2 at Ball Arena 105-102, and twice in the Nikola Jokic era the Nuggets have succumbed in a Game 7 at home, against Portland in 2019 and against Minnesota last year when Denver blew a 20-point second-half lead.