The LA Clippers returned home for a brief two-game stand, dropping the first game 103-100 to the Denver Nuggets. Keep reading for a full recap of the Clippers’ loss to the Nuggets.
Summary
Coming into the game with a depleted roster, the Clippers actually started the game with good intensity and energy. The ball movement was there, the good shots were there, and they had 11 assists on their first 12 made shots.
The Clippers did a solid job for the most part in keeping Nikola Jokic contained to start the game. The Nuggets actually ended up going on a big run to take the lead heading into the second quarter with Jokic on the bench.
The Nuggets surge continued through the second quarter when the Clippers trotted out a lineup of Keon Johnson, Amir Coffey, Brandon Boston Jr., Justice Winslow, and Serge Ibaka. Will Barton got going for the Nuggets a little bit towards the end of the quarter and the Clippers found themselves down 64-55 at halftime.
Denver continued their big run coming out the half and a Monte Morris three-point shot pushed their lead to 74-57, their biggest lead of the game. During that stretch, the Clippers began to get frustrated with the officiating.
Over the last couple of minutes of the third quarter, however, a Clipper rally led by Eric Bledsoe and Amir Coffey saw them cut into the Nuggets 17 point lead and trim it all the way down to 79-79, and then ultimately take the lead, 83-79 heading into the final period.
A big part of the third quarter surge was the battle between Ibaka and Jokic in the paint. Along with help from the rest of the team being active on the glass and in the paint defensively, Ibaka was able help keep Jokic from doing any major damage.
The Clippers offensive struggles reared its ugly head again though in the fourth quarter, and the Nuggets retook the lead, 96-94 off a Jokic three-pointer. An Austin Rivers three-point shot to put the Nuggets up 101-95 looked like it might be the dagger.
But Terance Mann had a huge put-back dunk over Jokic to cut the deficit to 101-97. A defensive stop by the Clippers and a Luke Kennard three-pointer in the corner pulled them within 101-100 with 19 seconds to go.
After using their foul to give, the Clippers sent Jokic to the line where he would knock down both and put the Nuggets up 103-100. The Clippers had a chance to tie the game but Boston’s three-pointer after he dribbled out the clock was off.
Notes
- Growing pains with Brandon Boston Jr. Boston has cooled off ever since his breakout against the Boston Celtics a few weeks ago, but he had a decent game tonight for the most part. Against the Nuggets, he showed the full range of the ups and downs to expect from him as a rookie. He clearly has that scoring punch and shot creation the Clippers will need with several guys out, but he also has a tendency to take some questionable shots and kill the flow of the offense. He has the potential to win the Clippers some games during this upcoming stretch, it’s just about finding the consistency and the shot selection.
- Amir Coffey is an NBA player. He’s been on a two-way contract for the duration of his three-year NBA career, all with the Clippers, but he keeps showing he’s worthy of a regular roster spot. His energy on the defensive end and his offensive production was one of the key reasons for the Clippers surge to get back into the game. With no restrictions anymore for the number of games a two-way player can spend with their NBA team, Coffey should remain with the big club and be a regular in the rotation while the Clippers navigate getting other guys healthy and out of protocols.
- Speaking of protocols, Marcus Morris Sr. was participating in pre-game shootaround and it was announced that he had cleared COVID health and safety protocols and would be available to return very soon. Before he entered protocols, he was really starting to find his shot and get his legs under him after sitting out with a knee injury. For a team that desperately needs some reliable shot creation, the sooner he is back the better.
