The LA Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets 122-110 in a preseason game at Intuit Dome on Wednesday, October 14, earning their second consecutive home victory and improving to 2-1 in exhibition play.
The Nuggets dropped to 2-2 after allowing 38 points in the third quarter, when the Clippers created separation and carried a 96-81 lead into the final period.
Rui Hachimura led the Clippers with 16 points, five rebounds and three three-pointers in 24 minutes. Baba Miller added 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, while Derrick Jones Jr. and Darius Garland scored 14 points apiece.
Garland also recorded seven assists, two rebounds and one steal in 23 minutes. Keaton Wagler contributed 12 points, five rebounds and four assists, making three of his seven attempts from three-point range.
The Clippers shot 52% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc, connecting on 15 of 33 three-point attempts. They also made 17 of 20 free throws and finished with 35 assists, compared with Denver’s 29.
The teams were tied at 24 after the opening quarter, and the Clippers took a narrow 58-55 advantage into halftime after outscoring Denver 34-31 in the second period.
Los Angeles then pulled away after the break. Garland and Jones opened the third quarter with consecutive baskets, and Hachimura added a driving layup before contributing two three-pointers during the period.
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The Nuggets scored 29 points in the fourth quarter but could not close the gap. Denver cut the deficit to 10 points at 104-94 following Bryce Hopkins’ three-point play, but the Clippers maintained control through contributions from their bench.
Miller hit another three-pointer, and Nick Martinelli scored eight points in the fourth quarter to help the hosts preserve their lead.
Julian Strawther paced Denver with 22 points in 25 minutes, shooting 8-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. Cam Whitmore added 17 points, while Jamal Murray finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Trevon Brazile scored 11 points, including three three-pointers, and DaRon Holmes II contributed eight points. Nikola Jokic recorded five points, six rebounds and seven assists in 17 minutes, while Aaron Gordon finished with eight points and six rebounds.
Denver shot 48% overall and made 11 of 33 three-point attempts, but its 17-of-30 performance at the free-throw line left points on the table. The Nuggets also committed 16 turnovers, five more than the Clippers.
