JOKER’s LA Landing Falls Short As Clippers Beat Nuggets

Denver's Nikola Jokic sizes up Mason Plumlee's defense. Photo by Audrey Jones @ TangentZine

It was a scrappy game to watch. But in a game that saw both teams lead in double digits and the outcome decided on the final shot, the LA Clippers managed to recover from their slow start and hang on to beat the visiting Denver Nuggets 102-100. 

Highlights from LA CLIPPERS YT Channel

Nikola Jokic stayed true to his MVP form and registered his 24th triple double of the season--36 points,17 rebounds and 10 assist. The Joker,  en route to his 3rd MVP award in four years, also surpassed the 14,000-point barrier making the case as the greatest player ever to wear a Denver Nugget jersey.

Gotham has Batman, but here in LA, the city of angels, we've got our own set of heroes. And tonight, it was the Clippers bench and defense that carried them to win.

Missing all-star Kawhi Leonard from right knee soreness, the task seems improbable for the Clippers---especially when you are playing against the gritty defending champions. But the Clippers bench rose in Leonard's absence and scored a combined 34 points to help Paul George’s 28 and Harden’s 20. Center Ivica Zubac also came up big with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

Mason Plumlee scores a layup as Denver's Aaron Gordon watches. Photo by Audrey Jones @TangentZine

Denver's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope does a reverse layup over Paul George. Photo by Audrey Jones @ TangentZine

Denver’s coach Mike Malone was thrown out of the game with eight minutes left in regulation for earning two technicals on a clear foul that was missed by the refs. Malone lost his composure and erupted profanities at the officials after Clippers center Ivica Zubac invaded Michael Porter’s landing space on a three-point attempt.

Video from Chaz NBA's YT Channel

Clippers guard Paul George prepares for a step-back three while Peyton Watson and Reggie Jackson defends. Photo by Audrey Jones @ TangentZine

The Clippers defense mangled the Nuggets offense forcing them to turn the ball over 13 times. A defensive stop in the final seconds by veteran guard P.J. Tucker against Jokic sealed the win for the home team.

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon contributed 20 points to help Jokic.  But in a potential game tying layup, he awkwardly slipped with 33 seconds left causing a panic from Nuggets fans. For those worried--he's okay. The Nuggets already missed the services of Allstar guard Jamal Murray from right knee inflammation. With the loss, the Nuggets are a half game behind the Timberwolves for first place in the Western Conference and will host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday Night.

The Clippers are currently in fourth place in the west and will host the Utah Jazz on Friday night in the second game of a back-to-back.

Click this link to purchase Clippers TICKETS for this season.

Full game highlights from the NBA's YT Channel