Nuggets vs Clippers Game Thread (Fri, Feb 28, 2020)

[insidehoops]

Nuggets at Clippers tonight, 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Denver is 40-18, LAC is 39-19.

Tuned in!

[insidehoops]

Leading Nuggets scorers this season
Nikola Jokic 20.8 PPG
Jamal Murray 18.9
Will Barton 14.8
Paul Millsap 12.1
Jordan McRae 11.8

Leading Clippers scorers this season
Kawhi Leonard 27.1 PPG
Paul George 21.0
Lou Williams 19.1
Marcus Morris Sr. 18.6
Montrezl Harrell 18.6

Very few players on the injury report for these two teams. Good news.

[insidehoops]

Nuggets starters: Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, Will Barton and Paul Millsap, and Nikola Jokic

Clippers starters: Pat Beverley and Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris, and Ivica Zubac

[fourkicks44]

I still think it is funny the Lakers traded Mike Muscala for Zubac :oldlol:

[Nike D'Antoni]

I still think it is funny the Lakers traded Mike Muscala for Zubac :oldlol:

Doc Rivers doesnt rate Zubac much either, he should play him more.Talk about clueless coach.

[insidehoops]

Clippers up 14-4 early.

Assists: Clippers 5, Nuggets 0.

[Nike D'Antoni]

This is 2 games in row.Clippers starting huge defensively.

[insidehoops]

Looking forward to seeing how this healthy Clippers team plays D in the coming weeks.

[fourkicks44]

Doc Rivers doesnt rate Zubac much either, he should play him more.Talk about clueless coach.

Harrell is by far the best 'back up' center in the league, tho.

[Nike D'Antoni]

Clippers getting away with some hacking, should be and 1 for Jokic.

[insidehoops]

Mid 1Q: Clippers up 19-12.

Nikola Jokic 5 for 7, other Nuggets 1 for 8.

[fourkicks44]

Reggie Jackson proving the haters wrong.

[insidehoops]

Mid 2Q: Clippers up 51-41.

No one player dominating this thing so far.

[insidehoops]

I like watching the Nuggets offense. But still working on figuring out why, exactly.

[insidehoops]

Halftime: Clippers 66, Nuggets 56.

The Clippers had a first half season-high 21 assists.

Jokic 15 and 7.

[insidehoops]

Clippers looking serious.

[insidehoops]

About to ponder the careers of Lou Williams vs Jamal Crawford

[Gotterdammerung]

The Clippers seem to turn it on only when they're present and focused.

If this means there's no more of the inconsistent play the rest of the season, it is on the leaders for not bringing it every night.

[insidehoops]

End of 3Q: Clippers 98, Nuggets 79

Paul George 7 of 11, 19 pts
Kawhi Leonard 6 of 12, 19 pts, 5 ast
Montrezl Harrell 14 and 7 off the bench
Reggie Jackson 4 of 5 off the bench, 10 pts and 5 ast
Clippers 52% FG, 43% threes

For Nuggets
Jokic 9 of 13, 21 pts, 9 reb
Jerami Grant 5 of 11 and 8 of 10 FT for 20 pts off the bench
Nobody else has stepped up offensively
Nuggets starting backcourt has 3 assists

Assists: Clippers 26, Nuggets 15

[insidehoops]

Blowout.

Good show, LAC.

[lilteapot]

Clippers are so obviously the best team in the West.

[insidehoops]

With health, we finally get to see the Clippers recently-added depth have an effect.

[Naero]

I tried basking in the Bucks' blowout over the Thunder tonight, and then the Clippers drub an even better opponent hours later. It's depressive knowing that no matter what regular-season feats Milwaukee accomplishes, they probably won't immortalize it with a championship because of one of these LA teams. Maybe I'll finally fully empathize with how Warriors fans felt in 2016 (without the 3-1 let-up, hopefully).

The Clippers' depth is just unmatchable—even in the playoffs where rotations shorten—and it's superfluous when they're helmed by arguably the BITW. My only hope is that their "switch" doesn't activate all circuits in the playoffs—always easier said than done—but I can't help but feel that it will when push comes to shove as it has with their recent bounceback.

[AirBonner]

I tried basking in the Bucks' blowout over the Thunder tonight, and then the Clippers drub an even better opponent hours later. It's depressive knowing that no matter what regular-season feats Milwaukee accomplishes, they probably won't immortalize it with a championship because of one of these LA teams. Maybe I'll finally fully empathize with how Warriors fans felt in 2016 (without the 3-1 let-up, hopefully).

The Clippers' depth is just unmatchable—even in the playoffs where rotations shorten—and it's superfluous when they're helmed by arguably the BITW. My only hope is that their "switch" doesn't activate all circuits in the playoffs—always easier said than done—but I can't help but feel that it will when push comes to shove as it has with their recent bounceback.
I don’t even think the Bucks could get out of the East

[insidehoops]

I tried basking in the Bucks' blowout over the Thunder tonight, and then the Clippers drub an even better opponent hours later. It's depressive knowing that no matter what regular-season feats Milwaukee accomplishes, they probably won't immortalize it with a championship because of one of these LA teams. Maybe I'll finally fully empathize with how Warriors fans felt in 2016 (without the 3-1 let-up, hopefully).

The Clippers' depth is just unmatchable—even in the playoffs where rotations shorten—and it's superfluous when they're helmed by arguably the BITW. My only hope is that their "switch" doesn't activate all circuits in the playoffs—always easier said than done—but I can't help but feel that it will when push comes to shove as it has with their recent bounceback.

Good stuff.

[Axe]

I don’t even think the Bucks could get out of the East
Then who else will? The Raptors?

[Gotterdammerung]

I tried basking in the Bucks' blowout over the Thunder tonight, and then the Clippers drub an even better opponent hours later. It's depressive knowing that no matter what regular-season feats Milwaukee accomplishes, they probably won't immortalize it with a championship because of one of these LA teams. Maybe I'll finally fully empathize with how Warriors fans felt in 2016 (without the 3-1 let-up, hopefully).

The Clippers' depth is just unmatchable—even in the playoffs where rotations shorten—and it's superfluous when they're helmed by arguably the BITW. My only hope is that their "switch" doesn't activate all circuits in the playoffs—always easier said than done—but I can't help but feel that it will when push comes to shove as it has with their recent bounceback.

The Clippers haven't solved their lingering chemistry problems just yet. Load management, pending free agency, injuries all have been a factor so far this season.

With the addition of Morris and Jackson, they might not have enough minutes for everyone. As long the leaders set the tone that none of this petty clubhouse lawyer-ing bullshit will be tolerated, that everyone keeps their mouths shut and play ball, they can perform as expected.

[AirBonner]

Then who else will? The Raptors?

Celtics

[Axe]

Celtics
Sure but I think they need to get the rest of their lineup healthy first.

[coin24]

Yeah I've got the Celtics coming out of the east, don't trust the bucks not to choke.

Also what the hell are the nuggets saving Porter jr for? They're not winning shit in the near future, get him out there already ffs:facepalm