Paul George picked up from where he left off on opening night with another impressive performance and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets 121-108 on Christmas.
Los Angeles Clippers – Denver Nuggets Highlights
After trailing by as many as 24 points in the third quarter, Denver rallied on the back of Jamal Murray’s 13 fourth-quarter points to cut the deficit to 116-105 with a little under three minutes left in the game.
However, the Clippers managed to score at key times during the closing minutes to finish off the contest that was tied just once and had four lead changes.
George finished with 23 points, nine assists, and five rebounds and made 5 of 9 from 3-point range for the Clippers.
Leonard Left Game Bloodied
Kawhi Leonard, who left the game with 6:11 left in the fourth quarter bloodied after taking an elbow to the face from his own teammate Serge Ibaka as the center went up for a rebound, also contributed to the win.
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Leonard had 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and four steals for the Clippers (2-0) who were securing their second straight big win this early season against Western Conference rivals, following the opening night victory over champions LA Lakers.
Nikola Jokic ended with 24 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds to lead the way for Denver, which was losing for the second straight game to start the new season.
Murray, who struggled early in the game before coming alive in the fourth quarter, added 23 points, and five rebounds. He shot 9 for 20 from the field.
Ibaka scored 15 points, Nicolas Batum ended with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists and Ivica Zubac chipped in with 12 points off the bench for the LA Clippers, who shot 55.4% overall and made 19 for 38 from 3-pointers.
Complete Game Book
Eight players had at least one assist for Los Angeles, which converted 41 shots off 32 assists.
Will Barton had 15 points with five rebounds and three assists and Monte Morris supported with 13 points and four assists for the Nuggets, who outscored the Clippers 50-30 in the paint.
The Western Conference finalists shot 45.7% from the field and had 25 assists on 37 made field goals.
Clippers vs Nuggets Box Score
L.A. CLIPPERS (121)
Batum 5-8 1-1 13, Leonard 8-14 3-3 21, Ibaka 6-9 1-1 15, Beverley 3-6 1-2 9, George 8-14 2-2 23, Coffey 0-0 0-0 0, Mann 1-1 0-0 2, Patterson 1-1 2-2 5, Kabengele 0-0 0-0 0, Oturu 0-0 0-0 0, Zubac 2-2 8-11 12, Jackson 2-6 0-0 5, Kennard 2-6 2-2 8, Williams 3-7 0-0 8. Totals 41-74 20-24 121.
DENVER (108)
Millsap 3-5 1-2 8, Porter Jr. 4-9 0-0 10, Jokic 7-13 9-11 24, Harris 1-5 0-0 2, Murray 9-20 1-2 23, Bol 0-1 0-0 0, Dozier 3-5 0-0 7, Hartenstein 3-5 0-0 6, Barton 4-10 6-9 15, Campazzo 0-0 0-0 0, Howard 0-1 0-0 0, Morris 3-7 6-7 13. Totals 37-81 23-31 108.
3-Point Goals–L.A. Clippers 19-38 (George 5-9, Ibaka 2-2, Kennard 2-4, Leonard 2-4, Williams 2-4, Batum 2-5, Beverley 2-5, Jackson 1-4), Denver 11-36 (Murray 4-11, Porter Jr. 2-6, Dozier 1-2, Millsap 1-2, Morris 1-3, Barton 1-4, Jokic 1-4, Harris 0-2). Fouled Out–None. Rebounds–L.A. Clippers 38 (Batum 10), Denver 32 (Jokic 9). Assists–L.A. Clippers 32 (George 9), Denver 25 (Jokic 10). Total Fouls–L.A. Clippers 32, Denver 20.
