Nikola Jokic, Nuggets bounce back with win over Clippers

Nikola Jokic bounced again from a uncommon poor taking pictures efficiency, scoring 30 factors to steer the Denver Nuggets to a 127-115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday evening.

It was his supporting forged’s efficiency that fired up coach Michael Malone, who smiled as he scanned the stat sheet and noticed all 5 starters plus reserves Bones Hyland and Austin Rivers had scored in double figures.

“I am extraordinarily happy,” Malone mentioned. “Sure, Nikola is an MVP, however this workforce with 9 video games to go, wants all people to step their sport up down the stretch and alleviate a number of the stress that is placed on Nikola each evening.”

Denver had misplaced 4 of six, together with a 124-104 house loss to the Celtics on Sunday evening during which Jokic missed 15 pictures and blamed himself for the defeat.

Towards the Clippers, he was 9 of 15 from the ground — he additionally had two baskets that had been waived off — and sank 12 of 13 free throws. He additionally pulled down a game-best 14 rebounds for his 59th double-double of the season.

The one factor worse than going through Jokic is going through Jokic coming off a nasty sport.

“For positive,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “He was the MVP final 12 months and has an ideal likelihood to win it once more this 12 months. We knew he was going to play properly. Often don’t play unhealthy two video games in a row, so he got here out performed properly, received his workforce going. That’s to be anticipated.”

The Clippers, who received 24 factors from Terance Mann, dropped their fourth straight sport. They’ve misplaced seven of 9 total. Marcus Morris Sr., Isaiah Hartenstein and Robert Covington every added 14 factors.

Hyland, Aaron Gordon and Jeff Inexperienced scored 16 factors apiece for Denver. Monte Morris had 15 and Will Barton 10. Rivers scored 11.

“Everyone contributed,” Gordon mentioned.

Jokic’s tip-in appeared to provide the Nuggets a 74-61 halftime lead however a assessment confirmed he touched it only a tick after the buzzer went off.

Jokic had a tip-in whereas being fouled with about six minutes left within the sport, however the basket was waived off and the Nuggets received the ball out of bounds, then Will Barton missed a 3.

The Clippers chipped away, chopping a 14-point deficit at one level to 111-109. Morris and Jeff Inexperienced responded with back-to-back 3-pointers, and the Nuggets closed on a 16-6 run.

“We haven’t completed video games the best way we needed to these days,” Clippers guard Reggie Jackson mentioned. “We haven’t provide you with as many wins as we’ve needed to. However hold your spirits up and perceive that we’ve put in plenty of work. It’s going to proceed to point out. We’re nonetheless in an ideal place. We’re going to proceed to come back out right here and play our greatest basketball on the proper time.”

Hyland had 4 clutch 3-pointers, two within the waning minutes of the second quarter that helped Denver take an 11-point lead into the break. He had one other that despatched the Nuggets into the fourth with a 99-88 benefit and one which made it 107-95 after the Clippers had pulled inside six factors.

“That child performs with a lot vitality,” Monte Morris mentioned. “He is coming into his personal, for positive.”

TIP-INS

Clippers: The Clippers bench and Nuggets large man DeMarcus Cousins had been assessed a double-technical foul at 7:39 of the second quarter. Roughly two minutes later, Clippers F Robert Covington was whistled for a technical whereas Gordon was taking pictures free throws after getting fouled on a 3-point strive. Jokic stepped in and sank the technical foul shot earlier than Gordon sank his third, giving the Nuggets a 55-48 lead.

Nuggets: The Nuggets shot 62% from the sector within the first half and made 14 of 15 free throws. … Malone mentioned F Zeke Nnaji could not play once more this season. Nnaji has been coping with bilateral knee soreness. “I don’t know when, or if, he’ll be again,” Malone mentioned. “I actually can’t say as a result of I actually didn’t anticipate he’d be out this lengthy.”

UP NEXT

Clippers: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday evening.

Nuggets: Host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening.