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Clippers vs. Nuggets Game Recap: Comeback Falls Short

LA Clippers Sacramento Kings Terance Mann Marcus Morris

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