Doc Rivers beomes first coach to blow 3-1 lead THRICE as Clippers choke series vs Nuggets

Los Angeles Clippers sensationally bottled a 3-1 lead to concede West Conference semi-final to Denver Nuggets. Nuggets ran riot in Game 7, with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic running show as y romped to a 115-89 win on Tuesday at  Advenalth Arena in Orlando. Clippers choke raised questions on coach Doc Rivers' future, having failed to meet expectations despite blockbuster signings of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. 

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Clippers vs Nuggets: Doc Rivers first coach to blow 3-1 lead thrice as Clippers choke 

Los Angeles Clippers' Western Conference Finals drought reached 50 years as Doc Rivers' side squandered  last three matches of Clippers vs Nuggets playoff series in sensational fashion. Clippers led 3-1 and looked set to face off against arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers before going down in next three games as Nuggets sealed a dramatic win. Clippers choke meant that Doc Rivers has become first coach to surrender a 3-1 series lead thrice during playoffs. Doc Rivers, who was previously at helm of Orlando Magic, saw his team bottle ir 3-1 advant in 2003 against Detroit Pistons in first round. 

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Doc Rivers was also at helm when Clippers lost to Houston Rockets in Western Conference semi-finals in 2015. Clippers raced to a 3-1 series lead but faltered again, handing Rockets a sensational win. After Clippers vs Nuggets clash on Tuesday, 58-year-old said that he accepts full responsibility for Clippers choke and believes that his side did t meet expectations.

Doc Rivers also holds record for most Game 7 losses with eight; or NBA coach has posted more than five. Furrmore, 58-year-old has lost six playoff series where his team have lead 3-2 heading into final two games of series. As Clippers bowed out yet again, it remains to be seen wher owner Steve Ballmer gives former Boston Celtics coach ar shot with Kawhi Leonard or sends him packing. 

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Clippers blow series: Doc Rivers stats

After a 13-year stint as an NBA player, Doc Rivers began his coaching carer with Orlando Magic in 1999. Under former Atlanta Hawks star, Magic made three postseason appearances but never made second round of playoffs. He was subsequent fired after a 1-10 record in 2003-04 season.

Doc Rivers was n signed by Boston Celtics, where he spent nine seasons as head coach. Celtics won NBA championship in 2008 while reaching Conference Semi-finals in four more seasons at TD Garden. Clippers n acquired Rivers for an unprotected 2015 NBA first-round draft pick in 2013. In his seven seasons as Clippers boss, Doc Rivers has led m to  Conference Semi-finals thrice. In all, 59-year-old has coached 1,624 games in NBA with a record of 943-681; a W-L ratio of .581. In playoffs, Rivers has a 91-89 win-loss record, with a W-L rate of .506.

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(Im Courtesy: AP)