LA Clippers defeat the Mavs but then lose to the shorthanded Nuggets- November 2023
The LA Clippers have been inconsistent but are starting to play better after losing the first five games since acquiring James Harden. The team has won three in a row before losing to New Orleans the day after Thanksgiving in the last in season tournament game. They play the back to back night at crypto.com arena versus the Dallas Mavericks have been playing Very well this year. However, the clippers came out firing on all cylinders and Paul George with the way with 34 points as a home team ruled to a 113 to 101 victory. The Mavericks kept it close was Luka Dončić leading the way in the first half with 20 points in Kyrie Irving come alive in the second half , but LA was too tough with their death including reserves, Norman Powell, and Daniel Theis having the games. Base has been a big addition since back up center Mason Plumlee got injured as they were getting out, rebounded and out manned with a shorter lineup when Zubac was out of the game. he brings energy as well as good shop, walking and defensive ability which is with the team really has needed. Coach Ty Lue is still trying to figure out the best lineups to build chemistry and has recently inserted Terrence Mann to the starting lineup with Russell Westbrook coming off the bench which is seem to fit better. Harden is coming along slowly, but surely, and despite Kawhi Leonard having an off game LA was too tough.
However, two nights later, the clippers got out coached, outworked & out, played by the defending champion Denver Nuggets back of crypto.com. Is very frustrating as two time MVP, Nikola Jokić, did not play, as well as Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, who also sat out with injuries, this was a homecoming for Reggie, Jackson, and DeAndre Jordan, ex clippers, as they put on a show and dominated the home team. Where did Jackson head one of his career games going 15 for 19 from the field and tearing up the Clippers defense no matter who guards them along with Tennis, sis and DeAndre Jordan look like the player from about 10 years ago with many spectacular pick and roll flying dunks and controlling the boards ending with 21 points and 13 rebounds. The Nuggets how to score of the Clippers by 20 points in the fourth quarter ending with a 10 to 2 run to finish them off. Denver’s record now is 12-6 while the clippers fell to 7-9 with this embarrassing loss
Zubac had a great game himself with 23 points and 14 rebounds well Kawhi Leonard came back from court showing two nights earlier to lead the team with 31 points but took 26 shots to do so. However, the team is having a hard time getting consistent play from the neither stars as Paul George ended with six points on 2-13 shooting and looked out of rhythm. Coach Mike Malone of the Nuggets have his team inspired with mostly a second and third unit players coming through and delivering.. In the end, they ran away in the last couple minutes to defeat the home team, 113-104. Lue had no answers and it look like a team full of individual players, throwing up three-pointers versus a team that have a strategic game plan that got executed perfectly.
More info, schedule, stats and box scores at www.nba.com/clippers