The Denver Nuggets paid the price for a sloppy game against the Clippers.
The Denver Nuggets have now sent their fan base into a frenzy by losing to the Clippers which has now moved them out of the playoff picture. Denver did trade leads 15 different times, but the Nuggets were out matched from the start with their lack of energy.
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The role players for the Clippers stepped up and made sure the Clippers were in the game even when it looked like Denver was going to pull away for the win. Montrezl Harrell stepped up and actually hit some clutch free throws when Denver resorted to a hack a Shaq strategy. It worked at first, but then it back fired on them.
Nikola Jokic did have 18 points, but looked out of place all game due to playing the power forward position. Mason Plumlee simply does not fit with Jokic in the same lineup and it reared it’s ugly head in this loss.
Denver got plenty of looks at the rim, especially in the fourth quarter, but they simply could not find the bottom of the net. It came back to bite them as the Clippers got plenty of transition opportunities and capitalized on them to give them the lead which eventually resulted in a close win.
The Clippers are now on a NBA best six game win streak whereas the Nuggets are in free fall mode. If this does not change soon, it could spell disaster for this Denver squad who had such high hopes at the beginning of the season. If they are not wary, they will be too far behind to catch up when their star power forward, Paul Millsap, finally returns from his wrist injury.
Next: Nuggets slip against Clippers
Denver will have some tinkering to do and may need a “coming to Jesus,” meeting to get back on track to make a push toward the post season.