Clippers' Unbeaten Streak at Intuit Dome Snapped
The Los Angeles Clippers' remarkable undefeated streak at their new home arena, Intuit Dome, came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night in a dismal second-half performance against the Denver Nuggets.
Missed Opportunities and Defensive Lapses
After a promising start, the Clippers' momentum crumbled in the third quarter. Cold shooting and sloppy defensive lapses allowed the Nuggets to seize control of the game. The Clippers converted just 37.9% from the field in the second half and were outrebounded by Denver 28-19.
Fatigue and foul trouble played a significant role in the Clippers' struggles. Kawhi Leonard, who has been carrying a heavy load this season, appeared visibly tired and finished with a subpar 15 points on 5-of-14 shooting.
Nuggets Dominance
Led by Nikola Jokic's 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists, the Nuggets gradually extended their lead in the second half. Jamal Murray added 19 points while Aaron Gordon chipped in with 15.
The Nuggets exploited the Clippers' lack of size and physicality in the frontcourt. Jokic feasted on mismatches, scoring easily in the post and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Hope for Improvement
Despite the setback, the Clippers remain optimistic about the remainder of the season. Head coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged the team's struggles but expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back.
"We played a good first half, but we couldn't maintain it," Lue said. "We have to be better in the second half and execute our game plan more effectively."
With several key players still returning from injuries, the Clippers are hopeful that they can regain their form and make a strong playoff push.