Going down Memory Lane; Nuggets vs Clippers, who would go All Out for a Win or Payback?

The Los Angeles Clippers will face the visiting Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, just over a week after being sent reeling by a pair of old pals.

It was also in Los Angeles on Nov. 27 when the Nuggets walked the court on the second night of a back-to-back without Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, or Jamal Murray and still defeated the Clippers 113-104.

The Nuggets relied on former Clippers Reggie Jackson (35 points, 13 assists) and DeAndre Jordan (21 points, 13 rebounds). It was reminiscent of Los Angeles’ previous offense, when the pick-and-roll with Jordan was a mainstay.

“We had our main guys out and it was really great for the team, a resilient group, the way we came together after being down by 11 in the fourth (quarter),” Jackson said.

“I might have been the one that was the recipient of the points, but my old head DJ getting on the rim, getting back in this building, looking like young ‘Lob City’ a little bit.”

The numbers all were season highs for both players, with Jordan surpassing the 20-point mark for the first time since March 24, 2019, as a member of the New York Knicks. His opponent that day? The Clippers.

Wednesday’s game was scheduled after both teams were eliminated from the in-season tournament, with Nuggets head coach Michael Malone now left to decide how much he wants to use the former Clippers against their old team again.

“The combination of Reggie and DeAndre created a lot of problems for them and gave us a lot of success,” Malone said.

Denver’s victory at Los Angeles was part of a four-game winning streak that ended Saturday with a 123-117 road loss to the Sacramento Kings, despite Jokic delivered his eighth triple-double of the season with 36 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists.

The Clippers just might have pulled off their biggest victory of the brief James Harden era when they defeated the Golden State Warriors at home 113-112 on Saturday. The game came two days after the Warriors defeated the Clippers 120-114 in San Francisco.

Paul George had 25 points for the Clippers on Saturday. Harden had 21 points with nine assists and Kawhi Leonard had 20 points with eight rebounds and seven assists. The Clippers never led until George hit a step-back 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds remaining.

The Clippers are now 6-8 since Harden came aboard in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, but they have won six of their past nine. The team is confident that Saturday’s victory is a sign of things to come.

“I told PG and Kawhi before the game, ‘Let’s catch our rhythm. Let’s be good, like we’re going to be later in the season. Let’s start it now,'” Harden said. “(It) was a good step for us and we got a few days off to be ready to go Wednesday.”

With a victory in hand over the weekend against the 2022 NBA champions, the Clippers now have another test ahead against the 2023 champs.

“I think getting past all the mistakes, (Saturday) was a gutsy win for us,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We needed to win like this just to keep fighting, keep scrapping, keep competing.”

Why Nuggets vs. Clippers is More Significant Than We Think | NBA Prep

The champion Denver Nuggets face the struggling Los Angeles Clippers in a pivotal December 6th matchup that will shape the Western Conference storyline. Join us as we discuss the postseason ramifications, critical matchups, and the importance of Michael Porter Jr.’s position.

The forthcoming showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 6th, 2023, carries a weight that goes beyond the ordinary mid-season matchup in the NBA’s ever-competitive landscape. This game has the potential to be significant for both teams, with intriguing storylines and postseason ramifications.

The Denver Nuggets, currently holding the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, are on a quest to defend their championship status. However, they find themselves trailing behind the emerging powerhouses of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s Thunder and Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves have taken the league by storm, sitting comfortably at the 1st and 2nd seeds. For the reigning champions, this game against the Clippers is a golden opportunity to make a resounding statement and solidify their contention for a repeat.

The LA Clippers, on the other hand, are grappling with a surprisingly low 9th seed in the competitive Western Conference. With star-studded names like James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George in their lineup, the Clippers were pegged as championship contenders. However, their slow start to the season has placed them in an unexpected Play-In position. The game against the Nuggets is a chance for the Clippers to prove their mettle, showcase team cohesion, and climb back up the standings.

The Importance of MPJ

Michael Porter Jr., who is continuing his excellent form from last season, is the star of this battle. Porter Jr. has become a Nuggets cornerstone, averaging 17.4 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, all career highs. The question is how he will perform against defensive titans such as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. This season, as a player with a title under his belt, Porter Jr. will be able to exhibit his development and compare himself to the best in the league at his position.

Finally, the upcoming Nuggets-Clippers game is more than just a regular-season matchup. It is a litmus test for both teams, with one wanting to cement its title credentials and the other hoping for redemption and a climb up the standings. Michael Porter Jr.’s performance against elite defenders adds a another dimension of intrigue to this game, making it a must-see for basketball fans. As the season progresses, the significance of this game may echo through the playoffs, setting the tone for these two formidable teams’ future goals.