The Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets duke it out at the Ball Arena on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have really struggled with their new lineup as they've now lost five in a row after coming up short against the Grizzlies in a 105-101 loss on Sunday. Paul George led the team with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, Norman Powell added 20 points off the bench while Kawhi Leonard chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Clippers shot 43 percent from the field and 12 of 34 from the 3-point line as they endured another slow start and were always playing from behind after getting outscored by 33-20 in the first quarter. The Clippers worked hard to claw their way back from a 15-point deficit, only to score just three points in the final 1:32 to allow the Grizzlies to slip away in a close finish.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been in great form with eight wins in their first 10 games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their four-game win streak snapped by the Rockets in a 107-104 road loss on Sunday. Nikola Jokic led the team with a triple-double of 36 points with 21 rebounds and 11 assists, Michael Porter Jr. added 25 pointst with 10 rebounds while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 46 percent from the field and nine of 32 from the 3-point line as they scored 30 points in the first quarter to take the early lead for most of the contest. However, they never pulled away from the Rockets and it cost them as the Rockets opened the fourth quarter with a 15-6 run to snatch the game away from them despite a monster game from Jokic.
Peter's Pick
The Clippers have yet to find their groove with the players in their lineup, and their confidence took another gut shot after losing to the struggling Grizzlies on Sunday. The Nuggets are still shorthanded with Jamal Murray ruled out, but Jokic is still in red-hot form and I think that should be enough to get past the slumping Clippers team. The line is a bit higher than I'd like, but I still think the Nuggets have more than enough to beat the Clippers while they're still trying to figure out their offense.
