Without Nikola Jokic (back) nor Aaron Gordon (right heel) left to rest, and still without Jamal Murray, the Nuggets start the match with an unprecedented five major, with Justin Holiday, DeAndre Jordan and Reggie Jackson in addition to the usual starters, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter Jr. The shortfall is particularly felt in attack for Denver who still manages to offer a nice alley-oop between Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan.
But it is the Clippers who are in the lead with 9 points from Kawhi Leonard in the first quarter. Los Angeles won the period (28-25) but without really convincing with a small 12/28 on shots and a lot of approximations near the circle.
Things got better at the start of the second quarter with Russell Westbrook heading towards the circle after a special slalom in the paint. Los Angeles will be up to 11 points ahead but the reigning champions hang on and go 12-0 driven by former Clippers, Reggie Jackson. The latter scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter and allowed Denver to take the lead at the break, facing the Clippers offensively (58-56).
The revenge of the Jackson-Jordan duo
Returning from the locker room is less lenient for evening visitors. Fatigue begins to be felt and skill drops mechanically for the Nuggets (8/28 over the period). If Jordan continues his work under the panels, also remembering the fond memories of his good years in LA, Zubac and Leonard begin to weigh more in the paint and the Clippers take the lead before the final straight (88-77 ).
But these Nuggets have heart, and above all pride. Like Jackson and Jordan. The two former Clippers chained the alley-oops, and they signed a 13-1 to take control of the match (93-91). The Clippers are stunned, and Jackson continues his festival. Like on this last “drive”, after a lost ball from Harden, where he goes to score in a forest of arms. There are 80 seconds left, and the Hack-A-Jordan will not have worked. “DJ” can exult, the Nuggets win 113-104.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– No Nikola Jokic. Already on the probable injured list against San Antonio, but finally on the boards, Nikola Jokic was this time absent in the midfield against the Clippers. Weakened in the lower back, the double MVP of the Nuggets did not want to take any risks on this “back-to-back” and, like Aaron Gordon, therefore watched his team’s victory from the sidelines. His first absence of the season.
– A disastrous last quarter for the Clippers! 36-16! This is the score of the last quarter with the young Watson and Strawther who brought life to the sleeping Nuggets. The Jackson-Jordan duo did the rest with their alley-oops, while Paul George and James Harden hit rock bottom.
– Former Clippers at the party. Whether it was Reggie Jackson (35 points, 13 assists) or DeAndre Jordan (21 points, 13 rebounds), the two former Clippers shone for their return to LA. The veteran leader notably scored 11 of his 31 points in the last quarter. It’s quite simple, it’s their best game with Denver.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.