December 2nd 2024.
The Denver Nuggets had a tough start to their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the newly-opened Intuit Dome. Despite a strong effort, they ultimately fell short with a final score of 126-122. This puts their overall record this season at 10-8, and they are now preparing to face the Golden State Warriors in their last game of the NBA Cup on Tuesday in Denver.
One of the highlights of the game was the return of Aaron Gordon, who had been sidelined since November 4th due to a right calf strain. He made his comeback as a backup center, playing for 23 minutes off the bench. But what was even more interesting was how the Nuggets used him. They opted for an eight-man rotation, a change from their usual lineup, and Gordon was chosen as Michael Malone's backup center.
This switch in rotation proved to be beneficial for the Nuggets, as it allowed for better management of star player Nikola Jokic's rest minutes. While there were some struggles in the fourth quarter, the team was still able to maintain a plus-three score when Jokic was off the court. The second unit has had difficulties with various players at center, but it seems that Gordon is the most effective solution, although not a sustainable one for the long 82-game regular season.
In addition to the game itself, there were also several milestones and special occasions that took place. The Nuggets have been present for some major moments in the NBA in the past nine months, such as LeBron James scoring 40,000 career points and Russell Westbrook achieving 200 triple-doubles. This time, it was James Harden's turn to make history, as he became only the second player to reach 3,000 made 3-pointers. The unveiling of a Kobe Bryant statue also coincided with the Nuggets' visit to Los Angeles.
Harden's accomplishment came in the first half, giving the Clippers a slight lead. He finished the game with an impressive 39 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. He and Norm Powell were the top scorers for their team, combining for 25 points in the third quarter alone. This allowed the Clippers to erase a 10-point lead that the Nuggets had briefly held. The two players also drew crucial fouls against Denver's young guards in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic also made some NBA history, tying Magic Johnson for the third spot on the all-time triple-double list with 138 in his career. Jokic had already achieved this feat by the end of the third quarter, despite not recording a single assist in the first quarter. His scoring was crucial in the early stages of the game, as the Nuggets struggled to get points on the board. Jokic scored 15 of the team's 23 points in the first quarter, while his teammates struggled to make shots.
The Nuggets' performance in the clutch time of the game was a major factor in their loss. They missed several free throws, going 10 for 19 from the line, including six misses in the fourth quarter. They also allowed their opponents to grab 13 offensive rebounds, which proved to be costly. In one crucial play, they had a chance to grab a missed shot from Harden, but it was snatched by Terance Mann instead. He would go on to make a second-chance three-pointer, giving the Clippers a seven-point lead. One final chance for the Nuggets was cut short when Jokic missed a free throw intentionally, ending the game with a score of 123-120.
Despite the loss, the Nuggets continue to be a strong team in the NBA, with their ups and downs along the way. Want to stay updated on all things Nuggets? Sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all the latest NBA analysis.
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