Los Angeles Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets 112-100: NBA Recap
Los Angeles Clippers once again proved that they are a deep team as their bench produced a mammoth 64 points on Christmas night, and the Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets 112-100 here at the Staples Center. With the win, Clips
extended their winning streak to 14 games, improving their franchise record.
The reserves did not wait for the fourth quarter to play their part. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro injected Jamal Crawford and company in the second period. And they produced immediate result; converting a one point deficit by
the end of the first quarter into a 19 point halftime lead. CP3 nailed a three pointer at the close of the third period to push their lead to 93-76. Clips cruised to victory from that point.
"We had good bench production tonight, especially in that second quarter, and at the end of the third a little bit to withstand their run. Just a good, overall team effort." Vinny Del Negro.
The Clippers also claimed the best record in the league on 22-6 moving one ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder (21-5) who lost to Miami Heat earlier in the day. Chris Paul was of the view that the Clippers will be looking to do
deep into the playoffs. He said
This is fool's gold," cautioned Chris Paul, who led the starters with 14 points. "You don't play for the regular season. Obviously, you want to build something."
Kosta Koufos and Jordan Hamilton each posted 16 points for the Denver Nuggets who will play Los Angeles Lakers next who dropped the New York Knicks 100-94 in the first game at the Staples Center today and the Clippers completed
the sweep at Staples Center and gave Californians a perfect Christmas present.
“They're a very good running team and they're very athletic, so we wanted to just play within ourselves and play smart throughout the game, I thought we established ourselves early on. We were getting some good looks, but at the
same time, shots weren't going in." Kosta Koufos said as the Nuggets shot 3 of 13 from the three point land.
Jamal Crawford was red hot; he finished the game with a season high 22 points the 12th time this season he has scored 20 or more points coming off the bench. His closest competitor is Ramon Sessions of the Charlotte
Bobcats with 7 times. With James Harden not a bench player any more as he shifted from Oklahoma City Thunder to Houston Rockets, where he is the starter for the Rockets, Crawford may very well be the 6th man of the season hands down if he stays
fit.
Matt Barnes added 20 points, his eight consecutive game in which he has scored in double-digit figures. The Clips are 16-0 this season when Barnes scores into double digits.
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