December 14th 2024.
The Nuggets' recent game against the Clippers was not originally on their schedule, but it turned out to be a crucial one for their season. After being eliminated from the NBA Cup during the group stage, the team was given two make-up games in December, one of which was the Friday night match against the Clippers at Ball Arena.
On the original 2024-25 NBA calendar, there were supposed to be three games between the Nuggets and the Clippers, with two of them being played at altitude. Unfortunately, the first two matchups resulted in losses for Denver, giving the Clippers a clear advantage in potential tiebreakers. However, with the addition of this unexpected game, the Nuggets now have a chance to even the series at 2-2, despite the Clippers having the upper hand in the previous games due to their home-court advantage.
Coach Michael Malone recognized the significance of this game, stating that the league had given them a "gift" and it was up to them to take advantage of it. And they did just that with a dominant second half performance. Jamal Murray, who had missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury, led the team with 20 points. Michael Porter Jr. also played a crucial role, scoring 12 of his 17 points in the last eight minutes of the third quarter, helping the Nuggets build a 14-point lead. And thanks to some impressive scoring from Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, as well as strong defense from Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic did not even have to play in the fourth quarter. Despite his impressive back-to-back performances of 104 points, the MVP center only played for about 30 minutes in this game.
The Nuggets' defense was also a major factor in their victory, as they forced 19 turnovers from the Clippers, effectively cancelling out their own 21 giveaways. This was their only home game in a 19-day stretch, and it was clear that they were determined to make the most of it, securing consecutive wins for the first time in over a month. They also maintained their unbeaten record of 8-0 when leading after the first quarter.
However, the first half of the game was a bit strange and unconventional. The Nuggets committed 14 turnovers, leading to 18 points for the Clippers. They also struggled from beyond the arc, only making three of their 15 attempts. And to add to the oddness, they did not have a single player in double digits at the end of the first half. The second quarter was especially rough, as the Nuggets went on an 18-0 run, going almost 5 minutes without scoring and over 5 minutes without a field goal. What made it even more peculiar was that most of this drought occurred while Jokic was on the court. He only attempted four shots in the first half, with one of them being a calculated move to engineer two possessions out of a sideline out of bounds play.
But things started to change in the fourth quarter. Rookie DaRon Holmes II, who had been out due to a torn Achilles, returned to the court and played a crucial role in the Nuggets' victory. Despite being questionable for the game due to a hamstring injury, Jamal Murray also made a strong comeback, helping the Nuggets secure the win. And it was Nikola Jokic who once again proved why he is the MVP, combining for 104 points in back-to-back games.
Overall, it was a rollercoaster of a game for the Nuggets, but they managed to come out on top and snap the Hawks' six-game win streak. With this win, they proved that they have not "splintered" as some may have suggested, and coach Malone praised Jokic for being vocal and leading the team in the right direction. And for fans who want to stay updated on all things Nuggets, they can sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all the latest NBA analysis.
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