The Los Angeles Clippers will try to extend their home win streak to eight games when they face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday in Inglewood, California.
After a 2-2 road trip, including a tough 93-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA Cup play on Friday, the Clippers are back in Los Angeles.
In that game, James Harden’s four-point play gave the Clippers a 90-87 lead with 4:10 left. However, the Timberwolves responded with a steal and dunk, a go-ahead 3-pointer, and a free throw to seal the win.
Despite the tough loss, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue focused on the positive aspects, especially his team’s defense.
“I liked our defense all night,” Lue said. “I thought it was going to be hard for them to score on us — which it was. … To hold this team to 40 points in the second half was huge for us.”
Harden had 20 points and 11 assists, while Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 17 points off the bench before injuring his left ankle with 90 seconds remaining.
Porter won’t play on Sunday, and Norman Powell (left hamstring strain), who has been averaging a team-high 23.3 points per game, is listed as questionable. Powell has not played since Nov. 18.
While Lue praised the Clippers’ defensive efforts, Nuggets coach Michael Malone had concerns about his team, even after a comfortable 122-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Nikola Jokic was excellent, scoring 30 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists. He is having a career year, averaging 29.7 points per game, 10.6 assists, and 53.4% shooting from 3-point range. He is also grabbing 13.1 rebounds per game.
Jokic is on track to win his fourth MVP, joining an elite group of players. He most recently won the award at the end of last season.
However, despite Jokic’s outstanding play and the easy win, Malone believes the Nuggets’ defense is still not up to their usual standard.
“Our defense so far has just been really inconsistent,” Malone said. “It starts in transition. It flows into the paint, and it finishes with the rebounding. … We have to stop making those mistakes if we want to be a top-10 defense. We’re far from that right now.”
