Game 61: Los Angeles Clippers (33-27) @ Denver Nuggets (40-18) - 2:00 PM PT

[Galloisdaman]

That makes sense. I forgot about the back to backs. I feel better now. I was wondering if they were trying to throw a game or two or three. I hope that is not the case. I want playoffs although if they don't put better guys in the starting lineup they might as well play in the D-League playoffs.

[esqtvd]

That makes sense. I forgot about the back to backs. I feel better now. I was wondering if they were trying to throw a game or two or three. I hope that is not the case. I want playoffs although if they don't put better guys in the starting lineup they might as well play in the D-League playoffs.

As soon as Trezz and Lou came in for Zubac and Shai, we tied it at 15 after starting 12-2. I don't know what to do about it though. Probably Chandler or Luc with Shamet to the bench--he's put up some astounding numbers with Lou, albeit a small sample. Right now, they're just not finding Shamet for the spot-up, which is his money. We have zero kickouts, no in and out game.

I'm also very disappointed in Shai's lack of progress as a PG. He had 4 assists and 4 TOs today. Lou is our only PG. Looking at the box score, besides Shai scoring one more point than a dead man and by far a team-worst minus-24, what stands out is

Trezz 5 fouls in 16 minutes
Zubac 5 fouls in 19 minutes
Motley 3 fouls in 8 minutes

We got bullied on one end and shot 3-21 [14%] from distance at the other.

[madmaxmedia]

Outside of Chandler taking some of Temple’s minutes I can’t see much that can be done. Better teams are reading our offense when it gets predictable and shutting it down. Shamet, SGA, and Zubac have to get their shots up early because Beverly is going to do the other things. Second unit again seems fine for the most part because without Green our rebounding would be way worse.

Wallace and Temple could maybe be upgraded but I’m not seeing a lot of answers. Maybe go tall IF Luc and Chandler come back?

Williams
Chandler
Moute
Green
Harrell

When I see Shammat and SGA playing near 30 minutes with 9 points combined I wonder if something is up. Gallo and Lou only playing 24 minutes almost feels like a tank. I have seen this in at least one other game since the Tobias trade. It doesn't make sense. If they are trying to win they should be riding Gallo, Lou and Trez as much as possible. Bev has 2 points and played more minutes than Gallo who had 19 points. The bottom line to me is if they are trying to win shorten the rotation and get your best 3-5 guys on the court 30 plus minutes a game.

We have a back-to-back tomorrow. We were down by 20 as the 4th quarter started and never got any closer. Gallo sat out the 4th but had we got a sniff of getting back into it, he'd have been back.

Doc was just playing it smart with his veteran. Lou only played 24 and Harrell only 16 because he had 5 fouls. The only bright side of this is our top 3 guys will be relatively rested for the Mavs at Staples on Monday.

Ralph noted that the Nugs have lost only one home game since November, and that was to GSW. This game was not a hill to die on.

And hey we are still tied with the Spurs who inexplicably lost to the Knicks.