LA the Clippers (27-28) beat Denver Nuggets (35-21) 115-114 at home on Thursday, February 19 in a game that stayed within 7 points at every quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Clippers had the better start, winning the first 25-24 to lead by 1 after one. The Nuggets moved in front with a 28-20 second quarter, carrying a 7-point lead into halftime.
The Clippers won the third 33-25 to turn the game around, taking a 1-point lead into the fourth. The teams matched each other with 37 points apiece in the fourth quarter, and the Clippers closed regulation with a 115-114 lead.
The edge that mattered
The Clippers took better care of the ball, turning it over on 11.4% of possessions compared with 15.4% for the Nuggets. The Clippers made 28.7 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 26.7 for the Nuggets. In a 1-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 108 possessions per team, the Clippers produced 106.6 points per 100 possessions to 105.6 for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 28-13.
Who made the difference
Bennedict Mathurin was the game's biggest individual force for LAC: 38 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl on 12-22 shooting. His Game Score of 30.5 led everyone. His team was +4 with him on the floor.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 20 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast on 5-15 shooting, good for a 17 Game Score.
John Collins (11 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast) and Nikola Jokic (22 pts, 17 reb, 6 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 64% for the Clippers.
Across the last 13 meetings in our records, Denver Nuggets lead 8-5.
The Clippers are now 27-28, and the Nuggets are 35-21. The Clippers last five before this game: L-W-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.