Without Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets laid down their laws on the Clippers’ floor

Will he win without Nikola Jokic? Yes, the Nuggets are capable of doing it. Including on the floor of a team that is considered one of the serious stables of the West.

With the Clippers without Paul George, Mike Malone’s men started to pull away in the second half and got closer to the money.

This is the fifth consecutive victory for Denver, which cemented its status as the conference leader. The Californians, however, are confirming that they are in very bad shape at the moment with their seventh loss in eight games and their balance in the balance…

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Nuggets money time. Neither team had received the other at halftime (58-57). At the end of the third quarter (81-86), the guests started to have several possessions thanks to their substitutes. But despite the absence of their leader, they exerted the most influence in the heart of the final quarter, showing control and patience. Kawhi Leonard and his team were very diligent in defense, with transitions in the zone, they led to 22 points. Above all else, they went on a decisive 10-0 run, punctuated by Jamal Murray’s go-ahead basket midway through the quarter, then John Wall’s foul on Bruce Brown’s interception and a counterattack. missed transmission.

– Balanced record without Nikola Jokic. For the fourth time this season, the Nuggets had to go without their MVP, resting to manage a sore wrist. Thanks to this win, they now have a balanced record of two wins and as many losses in his absence. This record is significantly better than last year under the same conditions: two narrow wins in eight games.

– Animal of the Californians. Three games and as many losses against the Nuggets for the Clippers this season. After losing 10 points without the Leonard-George duo in late November, the Californians scored 31 points in early January… Including two straight losses last season, they have lost five straight against Denver. . The last opportunity to eliminate the onset of “syndrome” this season, February 26 at the Nuggets floor.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Jamal Murray and Michael Porter. We could celebrate the Nuggets’ five mainstays, as each element was able to bring something to the main vacation, including returning DeAndre Jordan for the occasion. But the Murray-Porter duo took the most responsibility. While they didn’t score much in the final half, the point guard earned a significant reward as the winger showed an aggressive approach to the circle.

✅ Nuggets Defense. In addition to picking up the wins, the Rockies are hitting a streak of five straight against the men with less than 110 points. Another illustration last night with a defense that gradually silenced opponents: 34 points in the first quarter, then 24, 23 and finally 22. The main victim was Kawhi Leonard. After posting a huge amount to start (4/7 on shots), he went just 1/3 in the final quarter and borrowed at times as his teammates struggled to serve him.

⛔ Part of the Clippers’ five. If Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris scored a total of 40 points, we can’t say that there was much “scoring” support from the other elements of the five, which combined for a total of 17 points on 6/19 shooting. .

OUT FOR KAWHI LEONARD

“The Klaw” presented the poster of the night to Zeke Nnaji. Unlucky for the latter, he received the same penalty a few minutes later on a pass to John Wall, this time from the left.

NEXT

Clippers (22-22) : Reception of rockets, Saturday.

Nuggets (29-13) : Magic reception, Sunday.