Clips Nation - Clippers-Nuggets game coverage: Looking for revengeWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2014-04-15T22:47:28-07:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/53832392014-04-15T22:47:28-07:002014-04-15T22:47:28-07:00Clippers Mine The Nuggets, 117-105
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LnbcgmYbPlvE4tlMDEZ6-0UDajM=/0x115:2503x1784/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31687821/485003963.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers got out to a fast start and Chris Paul and Blake Griffin got to rest the entire fourth quarter as the playoffs get closer and closer. </p> <p>This game was played with a very nonchalant style from the beginning. After the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> got out to a 13-0 start, it became clear that they were going to win this one big, and the rest of the game played out as somewhat of a final runthrough for the starters, a chance for them to get a nice run in before the post-season begins. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a> suddenly started caring about the game in the third quarter and cut the lead to single digits for a little bit, but the Clippers were able to finish it out without much trouble despite abbreviated nights for <span>Chris Paul</span> and <span>Blake Griffin</span>.</p>
<p>The Nuggets were the perfect opponent for the Clippers on this night. Though they recently played a very physical and emotional game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> and have been more competitive over the past couple of weeks, they didn't take much exception when the Clippers started getting easy basket after easy basket against them. They provided minimal resistance until late in the game and gladly accepted Los Angeles' invitation to play at a fluid and fast pace. It wasn't much of a competition but it was somewhat entertaining because of how well the Clippers perform when they get up and down the floor.</p>
<p>This game had some importance for the Clippers in that they need every opportunity they can to work <span>J.J. Redick</span> and <span>Jamal Crawford</span> back into game shape after they missed time with injuries. This was Redick's best game since returning, making four of his six three point attempts on his way to 18 points. He flowed into open spots and did a more admirable job defensively in this one and he didn't seem to bothered by the pace, which is a good sign for his conditioning. Crawford is still out of sync and it wouldn't surprise me if tomorrow night's game against the Blazers was dedicated to getting Crawford a bunch of scoring chances to see if he find his rhythm. He was just 3-of-9 from the floor and had four turnovers in his 31 minute tonight.</p>
<p>Just about the only other possible takeaway from this game has to do with the unit <span>Doc Rivers</span> decided to close the game with. With Paul and Griffin both getting to sit out the entire final period, the second unit got some nice playing time together.</p>
<p>For the final five minutes of the game Doc replaced <span>Glen Davis</span>, who teetered the line between hilariously reckless and somewhat effective in this game, with DeAndre Jordan. The final line-up ended up being Darren Collison-Crawford-Matt Barnes-Hedo Turkoglu-Jordan, and we are likely to see something similar in the post-season since the defense with Davis at center has been disastrous (as has the offense, really). The post-season will allow Doc to stretch Jordan's minutes and that's going to be a good thing for a second unit that has not performed well of late (I'm sure Griffin will see some time as a smallball five as well).</p>
<p>Not much else was worth taking away from this game, other than the fact that the Clippers got a franchise record of 57 wins on the season. This was essentially a meaningless game for the Clippers unless the team believes two things: 1) That Oklahoma City will lose to Detroit tomorrow and 2) That having the two seed would be advantageous.</p>
<p>Getting up to the two seed only changes the first round matchup for the Clippers, as the second round is likely to be a date with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> either way. And getting up to the two seed means going up against either Dallas and Memphis when the Clippers are currently lined up to face the wounded and out of sorts Warriors. While the thought of the Splash Brothers getting hot in Oracle can be troubling, the truth is that Golden State is a defensive team that just lost its best defensive player. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> have played the Clippers close every time this season and we don't need to talk about the history with Memphis. The Warriors are missing their second best player right now and they may be the easiest out of the three for the Clippers.</p>
<p>Other notes:</p>
<p>- We can't go any further without talking about that Chris Paul spin move on the baseline. What excites you guys more, when CP3 pulls off some wizardry with his handle and finds his way to the rim or when Blake gets up for an authoritative dunk? This wouldn't be much of a contest for me in most cases because I prefer an aesthetic act of skill over an aesthetic act of athleticism, but Griffin is so majestic with the way he flies through the air, so it's a tough call.</p>
<p>- The game started to turn in the third quarter when the Clippers started posting up Blake and he forced the ball up to the rim a couple of times. I think he was just trying to put the game away and I don't blame him on this particular night.</p>
<p>- Speaking of Blake, he's going to miss the game tomorrow if his 16th technical isn't rescinded. Hopefully it is. Not because the Clippers need him tomorrow, just so he doesn't lose any money for it. I don't think Blake is going to play anyways. On the call itself: I think it has to be made. I get that he was going after the ball, but he clobbered Mozgov in the face. Even if it wasn't intentional, it looked pretty forceful.</p>
<p>- Vintage Randy Foye out there tonight, huh?</p>
<p>- It was kind of hard for the ball not to move tonight with both teams being so out of sorts with their rotations and closeouts, but it's nice to see the Clippers display such chemistry with the post-season approaching. There is a reason they have the best offense in the league right now and it has to do with how dedicated they are to moving the ball to find optimal looks.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/4/15/5619482/clippers-mine-the-nuggets-117-105Mark Travis2014-04-15T19:22:11-07:002014-04-15T19:22:11-07:00Clippers-Nuggets open thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dejs8FHSluemyZfRudqbm0GloXw=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31682759/20140203_mta_aq2_177.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers can set a new franchise record for regular season wins, bettering the mark they set last season, with a win over the Nuggets tonight.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2013/2014 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/94491/xeti0fjbyzmcffue57vz5o1gl.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Xeti0fjbyzmcffue57vz5o1gl_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/94491/xeti0fjbyzmcffue57vz5o1gl_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1391377919868">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>56-24</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>36-44</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>April 15th, 2014, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>STAPLES Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>TNT, Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>21-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>16-14</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>35-15</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-30</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>33-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>22-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>23-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>14-26</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>29-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>15-26</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>27-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>14-15</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>7-3</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>4-6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Aaron Brooks</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Randy Foye</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Quincy Miller</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Kenneth Faried</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Timofey Mozgov</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">98.21 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>100.18 (3rd of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.4 (1st of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>103.3 (15th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">101.9 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>105.3 (21st of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Danny Granger</span> (hamstring) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Nate Robinson</span> (ACL surgery) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>Danilo Gallinari</span> (knee surgery) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>JaVale McGee</span> (broken leg) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>J.J. Hickson</span> (knee surgery) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>Ty Lawson</span> (knee) doubtful</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nuggets</a> lead the season series 2-1):</b></p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>12/21/13</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> 112, Nuggets 91</b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/12/21/5234686/clippers-dunk-nuggets-112-91" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131221/DENLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>02/03/14</b></td>
<td><b>Denver</b></td>
<td><b>Nuggets 116, Clippers 115</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/3/5376606/clippers-get-their-hearts-broken-in-denver-116-115"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140203/LACDEN/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>03/17/14</b></td>
<td><b>Denver</b></td>
<td><b>Nuggets 110, Clippers 100</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/3/17/5521118/another-clippers-streak-ends-in-denver-110-100"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140317/LACDEN/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/4/15/5619184/clippers-nuggets-open-threadSteve Perrin2014-04-15T00:05:47-07:002014-04-15T00:05:47-07:00Clips-Nuggets preview: Still something to play for
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RecMCkR1V3hCXNL5-dz-cMO0nOY=/0x55:4000x2722/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31639219/20140317_ajl_bd3_337.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With just two regular season games remaining, the Clippers still have something to play for. The two seed is a remote possibility, but clinching a better record than Indiana and setting a franchise record for wins are both within reach tonight.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2013/2014 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/94491/xeti0fjbyzmcffue57vz5o1gl.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Xeti0fjbyzmcffue57vz5o1gl_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/94491/xeti0fjbyzmcffue57vz5o1gl_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1391377919868">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>56-24</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>36-44</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>April 14th, 2014, 7:30 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>STAPLES Center</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>TNT, Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>21-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>16-14</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>35-15</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-30</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>33-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>22-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>23-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>14-26</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>29-17</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>15-26</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>27-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>14-15</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>7-3</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>4-6</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Aaron Brooks</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>J.J. Redick</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Randy Foye</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Quincy Miller</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Kenneth Faried</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Timofey Mozgov</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">98.21 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>100.18 (3rd of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">109.4 (1st of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>103.3 (15th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">101.9 (7th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>105.3 (21st of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right" style="text-align: right;"><b><span>Danny Granger</span> (hamstring) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Nate Robinson</span> (ACL surgery) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>Danilo Gallinari</span> (knee surgery) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>JaVale McGee</span> (broken leg) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>J.J. Hickson</span> (knee surgery) out</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td style="text-align: left;" width="240"><b><span>Ty Lawson</span> (knee) doubtful</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nuggets</a> lead the season series 2-1):</b></p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>12/21/13</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> 112, Nuggets 91</b></td>
<td><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/12/21/5234686/clippers-dunk-nuggets-112-91" target="_blank"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131221/DENLAC/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore" target="_blank"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>02/03/14</b></td>
<td><b>Denver</b></td>
<td><b>Nuggets 116, Clippers 115</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/3/5376606/clippers-get-their-hearts-broken-in-denver-116-115"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140203/LACDEN/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>03/17/14</b></td>
<td><b>Denver</b></td>
<td><b>Nuggets 110, Clippers 100</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2014/3/17/5521118/another-clippers-streak-ends-in-denver-110-100"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140317/LACDEN/gameinfo.html#nbaGIboxscore"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture:</b></p>
<p>The Clippers might actually prefer it otherwise, they might like to know where they are going to finish so they can get some rest and stop worrying about regular season wins, but with Oklahoma City's loss in New Orleans last night, L.A. still has a shot at the second seed in the Western Conference. They would need for the 58-win <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> to lose at home to the 29 win <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a>, which doesn't seem very likely, but stranger things have happened. Of course they also need to win their own games, starting tonight against the Nuggets, but it's not as if the Clippers need extra incentive against Denver. The Clippers have not lost three games to any team in the NBA this season -- they are 0-2 against Indiana and Miami, 1-2 against San Antonio and Memphis, but they don't play any of those teams again. The Clippers haven't lost three games in a row this season (and won't in the regular season at least, a remarkable accomplishment in and of itself) -- and they haven't lost three to any opponent. They don't want to start now. Not to mention the fact that Denver's two wins -- one at the buzzer on a desperation three by Randy Foye and a second last month that ended the Clippers' 11-game winning streak -- were both particular bitter for the Clippers. So yeah, this is one that the team really wants to win, whether they admit it or not. They didn't play particularly well in either of the losses, owing in part to the altitude in Denver and the schedule -- but on two days rest at sea level, there will be no excuses. So they want to avenge the Denver losses, they are still chasing the two seed -- anything else? Oh yeah, a victory tonight sets a new franchise record for regular season wins.</p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> The view from Denver... <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Denver Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs</a></div>
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<p><b>The Antagonist:</b></p>
<p>The Nuggets have been missing key players all season, and they may be missing even more against the Clippers tonight. In addition to Danilo Gallinari, who's been out all year, and JaVale McGee, who was hurt early in the season, J.J. Hickson is now out and leading scorer Ty Lawson will probably miss this game as well. But the Nuggets have a habit of being pesky no matter who is on the floor, and Kenneth Faried and Randy Foye have led them to some unlikely wins lately. The Nuggets will miss the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. We'll never know whether they could have kept the streak alive in the incredibly competitive Western Conference, even with a fully healthy roster, but they never really had a chance with all the injuries. The question now is what they can do next season.</p>
<p><b>The Subplots</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Comparison of key metrics.</b> The Clippers have had the highest offensive efficiency for a while on basketball-reference, but they finally passed the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a> yesterday on NBA.com. (The two sites calculate possessions slightly differently, which in turn changes the points per 100 possessions calculation.)</li>
<li> <b>Healthy squad.</b> It should be noted that the Clippers were far from healthy in their two losses in Denver this season. They played the February game without Chris Paul -- then the backcourt injuries flip-flopped in the March meeting, and Paul was the only player among the Clippers' top four guards to actually appear in the game. The Nuggets will see a very different Clippers team with Paul and Redick starting, Collison and Crawford coming off the bench.</li>
<li> <b>Interesting rotations.</b> With all four of his guards available together for the first time since the first month of the season, <span>Doc Rivers</span> broke out some really interesting rotations Saturday afternoon against the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a>. <span>Darren Collison</span> has been starting at shooting guard next to Paul for the better part of a month, and Rivers must have liked it, because even with Redick and Crawford both healthy, his first substitution was to bring in Collison for Redick. That seemed at first like an desire to bring Crawford back slowly, but then he played Crawford and Redick together for a stretch in the second quarter. The truth is that both Collison and Crawford are combo guards, and any permutation of the Clippers top four backcourt players is an option -- something we're finally getting to see in the last week of the season.</li>
<li> <b>Sneaky uniform choice?</b> The Nuggets made a below the radar move back in March when they hosted the Clippers -- they wore their blue alternate uniforms for a home game. That forced the Clippers to wear their road reds, in which they've had a much poorer record this season. That's good scouting by the Nuggets. Of course, the Clippers have been pretty good in their whites this season also -- they've already set a franchise record with 33 home wins, and a win in their home finale tonight would not only extend that mark, but would also assure them of at least a tie for the best home record in the West.</li>
<li> <b>What are the Clippers playing for?</b> The Clippers still have several things to play for, even though they are probably going to finish with the three seed in the conference. There's the franchise record for regular season wins. A win would also extend their current streak of year over year improvement to five seasons. They can put some pressure on the Thunder and keep the race for the two seed alive through the final day of the season; <span>Scott Brooks</span> would probably love to rest Durant and Westbrook tomorrow, but he can't do that if the Clippers win tonight. The Clippers also need one more win to clinch home court advantage in a potential <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Finals</a> matchup with the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pacers</a>. If the eventual goal is to win a championship, home court in the Finals is just as important as anything else. Whether they get there or not is a different question. If they do get there, they will want to open at home -- especially against the Pacers, who have the best home record in the league but are .500 on the road.</li>
<li> <b>Karl and Del Negro.</b> <span>George Karl</span> led the Nuggets to 57 wins last season, their best record since joining the NBA as one of four ABA teams to make the leap in 1976. <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> led the Clippers to 56 wins, a franchise record for the Clippers. And they were each replaced for their efforts. That's a tough gig.</li>
<li> <b>New team.</b> If you take last season's Nuggets team that won 57 games and sort the roster by minutes played, out of their top eight players from last season only Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson are still on the team and healthy. Iguodala, Koufos, Brewer and <span>Andre Miller</span> are all gone, Gallinari and McGee have major injuries. It's one thing to try to remake a roster -- it's another to do that and then suffer a rash of injuries. The Nuggets did well to hang around .500 for awhile, but I think they kind of gave up when they realized that Gallinari wasn't coming back this season.</li>
<li> <b>Randy Foye.</b> Among the decidedly lukewarm free agent signings for the Nuggets this summer was former Clipper Randy Foye, who has been their starting shooting guard by default. Foye always seems to wind up in the starting lineup wherever he goes -- but at the same time, he hardly seems like an NBA starter. He's a shooting guard who isn't that great a shooter, truth be told. His shooting percentage usually hovers right around 40%, either a little below or a little above -- he's been red hot lately, so he's all the way up to .414 this season. He does take a lot of threes, which drags down his percentage, but still. The other signings for the Nuggets this summer were Hickson and Nate Robinson, who are both out for the season with knee injuries. Ouch. Of course, Foye hit the miracle three at the buzzer in February to defeat the Clippers, and he went off for 30 against Houston last week.</li>
<li> <b>Connections.</b> Mozgov appeared with Blake Griffin in one of the most famous dunks of all time, though he wishes that he hadn't. Gallinari went on another Griffin poster in the same game, while both Mozgov and Gallo were on the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a>. Randy Foye played two seasons with the Clippers.</li>
<li><b>Get the Denver perspective at <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>.</b></li>
<li> <b>Shakespearean reference:</b><br><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/playmenu.php?WorkID=romeojuliet">Romeo and Juliet</a> -- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=romeojuliet&Act=5&Scene=3&Scope=scene">Act V, Scene 3</a> -- Romeo</b><br><i>Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death, <br>Gorged with the dearest <b>morsel </b>of the earth, <br>Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open, <br>And, in despite, I'll cram thee with more food!</i> </li>
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https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/4/15/5615912/clippers-nuggets-preview-still-something-to-play-forSteve Perrin