- 2 hours ago
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00ДИНАМИЧНАЯ МУЗЫКА
00:30Darius Brown, Nikola Jokic, Cam Johnson, and Julian Strother.
00:35Meanwhile, for the L.A. Clippers, Chris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Brooke Lopez,
00:41the man in the middle now with John Collins and the great Kawhi Leonard.
00:46As we surmise, Spencer Jones coming off the bench.
00:51Each team missing players tonight.
00:54You look at the enactments, Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson still out, Bradley Beal gone for the season,
00:59Darius Garland, they're not sure when he will return.
01:06So a nice crowd assembling for this one.
01:08This is the third meeting between the two teams.
01:11Nuggets have won the first two, and they have the tip.
01:14Officials tonight, Pat Freyer, Kevin Cutler, and Michael Smith.
01:17Defense! Defense!
01:20Cam Johnson turns the corner.
01:22He's got a lane, lay it on, and they did.
01:24And the Nuggets broke on top, too.
01:26They're taking a look out of Julian Strother, who got the start tonight,
01:29who's been, last two games, curling that high screen right down the middle.
01:34Clippers, 26 and 28.
01:36They are 10th in the West.
01:37The percentage points back of ninth place, Portland, who we'll see tomorrow night.
01:42Done.
01:42Over in the corner, Derek Jones, a much-advue three-point shooter.
01:45He misses.
01:46Jamal Murray with a rebound.
01:50Cam Johnson lets it fly.
01:52That's no good.
01:52And Kawhi Leonard goes and gets it.
01:55Kawhi, the pride of San Diego State University.
02:00And it looks like he's going to be an all-pro this season.
02:04And that's John Collins in the lane.
02:06He misses.
02:07Jokic has it.
02:08Jokic, four straight triple-doubles.
02:10Now Strother's wide open for three.
02:12And he nails it.
02:14Strother's been playing very, very well.
02:17He ended going into that break, four straight games and double figures.
02:21Yeah, averaging 14 points per game in February.
02:26Even better, if you count his last five games.
02:29Now Kawhi Leonard, he's guarded by Murray at the moment.
02:37Inside, no.
02:37We've got a traveling goal.
02:41Christian Brown's a pretty good defense there.
02:43Yeah, Chris Dunn, they switched down.
02:45Got to him late, but Chris Dunn didn't have a lot to do with it.
02:49Though the Nuggets, who have been getting off to slow starts,
02:54so far so good here.
02:55They're at 5-0.
02:59Murray against Chris Dunn.
03:01Down the middle lane to Jokic.
03:04And it's batted off his leg out of bounds.
03:07Yeah, he thought he got grabbed from behind by Lopez.
03:11No call by the baseline guy.
03:13David Adelman without two of his key players.
03:15Once again tonight, Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon, both on the mend.
03:22Baseline drive and lay it up and in.
03:25Well, that was one of the things David Todd was pre-game presser.
03:28They've got a straight line drive.
03:29They've got to get better with that.
03:31And the ball fumbled.
03:33Clippers have it.
03:34It's three on one.
03:35Jokic is the chair.
03:36And the dunk is good by the high-flying Derek Jones, Jr.
03:51And Jokic, he's saying it's the third time in a row that he went to the basket,
03:57that one that went on the baseline, didn't get it.
03:59That pick and roll just a while ago, he didn't get it.
04:03Gets his call right here.
04:06Can't put your hands on him.
04:08You see the hands, the arms in there.
04:10Brooke Lopez in foul trouble last time these two teams played.
04:13Now Strother lets it go again.
04:15And he's got another three.
04:17Till the Nuggets go ahead 8-4.
04:21Strother, who grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, now in his third NBA season.
04:25And rounding into form.
04:28Collins gives it to Dunn, who's more of a defensive specialist,
04:31but shooting better this season.
04:33Now Collins can try it back his way in.
04:36He's a power player.
04:37Runs into Jokic.
04:38In trouble, and a ball thrown away.
04:40Strother in the right place at the right time.
04:42Nuggets on the bridge.
04:44Cam Johnson for three.
04:45Yeah!
04:47Well, the Nuggets hot early from three-point land.
04:52They made three out of four, and it's a seven-point lead.
04:56Kawhi Leonard, he's way short, and Jokic pulls in the rebound.
05:01Jokic trying to become the first player ever in NBA history.
05:05I guess that's the same thing, to lead the league in assists and rebounds in the same season.
05:11Now Cam Johnson.
05:13And Johnson rattles one in.
05:16Again, being aggressive, coming off those little screens right there.
05:18They're trying to go underneath him.
05:20Well, the Nuggets, who came in as a four-and-a-half-point road favorite, are lighting it up early.
05:30And they have the lead.
05:3313-4, didn't they?
05:36Against the Los Angeles Clippers.
05:38Spencer Jones, once a two-way player that used up all of his eligibility,
05:43officially earned himself a full NBA contract.
05:46I spoke with him before the game, asking what it was like to take advantage of that opportunity
05:50and his role so far with the Denver Nuggets.
05:55Really just shows all the work I've put in, kind of the opportunity, you know, a little bit
05:59of luck, but, you know, just taking advantage of all of it and doing it consistently and
06:02showing that, you know, it's been realized.
06:04It's just being prepared both physically and mentally the whole time.
06:06I mean, look, taking care of my body so I can, you know, take the hard hits, get on the
06:09floor, get those loose balls, and then just provide energy, you know, each and every game
06:14to get this team where we need to be.
06:16Guys, Spencer told me he feels like he can play a little bit more free now that those
06:20details have been figured out contractually, and, yes, I know many people are wondering,
06:25did he update his LinkedIn profile?
06:28He did.
06:29He declared he got a raise, guys.
06:31Nice.
06:32He showed up.
06:33He went from 20 games last year, Katie.
06:35You know this.
06:36No starts to 46 games this year, 34 starts at the All-Star break.
06:42Spencer Jones, we'll see him soon.
06:43And I'm Chris Marlowe with Scott Hastings.
06:46You just heard from Katie Wingy, 13-6 lead early for Denver.
06:50What do you see?
06:51Well, they've been aggressive.
06:52They just took two points.
06:54They called late a goaltend on Strother, but been pretty aggressive both in so far.
07:00Kawhi Leonard guarded by Christian Brown at the moment.
07:04Kawhi, baseline, got a good screen there.
07:06Brooke Lopez, who's got great three-point range.
07:08He misses, and Jokic goes and gets it.
07:11And Nikola Jokic averaging 12-and-a-half rebounds a game.
07:14Swirls into the front court.
07:16They could hand off to Cam, get him going.
07:19He's been going.
07:23Injured early in the season.
07:27Gets away from Collins, give it out to Jokic.
07:29Going to shoot a long three.
07:31Nope.
07:32Off the mark.
07:35Dunn goes and gets it.
07:37Dunn in on Murray.
07:38This is Murray on the way, and Murray blocks the shot.
07:41Outlet to Cam Johnson.
07:47Murray for three.
07:50And Jokic with the hands, lost it.
07:53Dunn on the bounce pass.
07:55Great play.
07:55Christian Brown diving.
07:58Another possession for Denver.
08:00Cam Johnson trying to get around his man.
08:03Does.
08:03And they take it away.
08:05But a foul.
08:06You know, they got a kickball, I believe, on Dunn.
08:09That joker, he got double-teamed on the baseline.
08:15He's being allowed to get a little hands.
08:17He got away with one on Cam that time.
08:19But remember, he was a defensive player of the year.
08:21Mm-hmm.
08:26Now Murray.
08:27In on Dunn.
08:28And a duck under him.
08:30Not yet.
08:31Here it comes.
08:33And puts up a tough shot.
08:34Bad possession.
08:36Coopers have a pretty good defense.
08:38Their offense has been where they have struggled this year.
08:41They're just 112 points per game.
08:44Kawhi trying to get away from Cam.
08:46Pass it out.
08:47Over to Lopez.
08:48And it's through the wickets.
08:54So, the pass.
08:56Too hot to Hamill for a big man.
08:57The fourth turnover by the Clippers.
09:01For six and a half minutes to go here in the first quarter.
09:06Glad you're with us on altitude.
09:08Nuggets first game back.
09:10Same with the Clippers from the All-Star break.
09:13Jokic has a lane.
09:14Come underneath.
09:15And tries to get it to Christian Brown.
09:18It was errant.
09:19Rebounded back.
09:19And he puts it in.
09:21Sometimes better be lucky than good.
09:25Well, the Nuggets have their biggest lead.
09:27Nine points.
09:29Now, Collins.
09:30Much bigger than Christian Brown.
09:32Shoots over him.
09:33And Collins knocks it in.
09:38Now, John Collins acquired from Utah.
09:40His ninth NBA season first with the Clippers now.
09:43Christian Brown's got a lane.
09:46Now, Cam Johnson pressured.
09:48And out to Murray.
09:51Dump it under.
09:52Christian Brown's wide open.
09:54Beautiful passing by Denver.
09:56Yeah, you see that.
09:57Joker got the ball up high.
09:59Double team goes right to him.
10:01And just leaves Christian by himself.
10:04Now, Lopez.
10:06Remember, with the departure of Ivica Zubac.
10:09So, Lopez.
10:10The starting center for the Clippers now.
10:13Now, Kawhi.
10:14And he jets in a 13-footer.
10:16He just wants to get you going.
10:17Gets you about 14 feet.
10:19Then he shoots a line drive jump shot.
10:25Now, Murray trying to get away.
10:27Now, Jokic is in the lane.
10:29Missed it.
10:29Jokic tip it.
10:30No.
10:31Nuggets come up empty there.
10:33That's that little touch that we talked about in the open.
10:35Just back where it was before the injury.
10:38Benedict Matherin has come on.
10:40And he is fouled.
10:41Joker reached in.
10:43Benedict Matherin, a pickup from Indiana.
10:46And a bunch of those trades.
10:52Jokic.
10:53They're going to give him free throws.
10:54Wow.
10:55And they call a foul on Jokic.
10:56Matherin at the line.
10:59Now, the Clippers acquiring Darius Garland in a second.
11:04They got Benedict Matherin, Isaiah Jackson,
11:07two first-rounders and a second.
11:10After shipping out James Harden, Zubats, Chris Paul, and Kobe Brown.
11:17A little reorganization for the L.A. Clippers.
11:23And this is Conan Neerhauser coming on.
11:28He's from Switzerland.
11:29Big man who's got some potential.
11:31Yeah.
11:32And part of the reason moving Zubats,
11:35they thought that he has some potential.
11:37They want to be getting some playing time this year.
11:4017-12.
11:42Murray scored so far.
11:44Zero for two.
11:45They've got tough defenders on Murray.
11:46Back up.
11:47Murray's got it.
11:48Get it to Brown.
11:49Defense!
11:51Defense!
11:52Defense!
11:53Defense!
11:53Defense!
11:53Defense!
11:54Christian trying to turn the corner.
11:55He does.
11:56Back to Jokic.
11:57What a pass and a three-point opportunity for Nikola Jokic.
12:03That was a little buddy to big buddy, Scott.
12:04Yeah, that was a give-and-go, give-and-go, right?
12:06I mean, it started with a pick-and-roll in the corner.
12:09Triple handoff, roll.
12:11Catch the roll guy late.
12:14Matherin in there with just a little flat foot
12:16and put the hand in the chest.
12:18Matherin picks up the foul.
12:20Nuggets 35 wins, 20 losses on the season.
12:23A three-and-a-half back of second-place San Antonio.
12:26Game up on the fourth-place Rockets
12:30as we look at the numbers for Nikola.
12:36And he's here.
12:38So, a seven-point lead for Denver.
12:41Here in the first quarter.
12:47Matherin.
12:49Tanks it up.
12:50No good.
12:50Jokic's trying to tap it to himself.
12:53Could not.
12:55Oh, this is going to be real late.
12:57Ball didn't go in, so we'll call a foul on Bruce Brown.
13:00And he did.
13:00He pushed Matherin on the shot.
13:03But that's one of those ones, and the league likes to do that.
13:07If it goes in, it wasn't a whole bunch of contact.
13:09But if they miss the shot, it was enough to get to the free throw line.
13:13First foul on Bruce Brown's second team foul.
13:15Here is Matherin.
13:17He's a Canadian.
13:19Drafted number six by Indiana in the 2022 draft.
13:25More importantly on that, Chris, the other thing David talked about before the game,
13:29that was an offensive rebound.
13:31He come in, and he said he needs those wings, those guards being better around the basket.
13:39One more for Benedict Matherin, just 23.
13:44He's had some nice games against the Nuggets when he was with Indiana.
13:51So, five-point lead for Denver.
13:53More around the Yorkic screen.
13:55Give it back to Jokic.
13:56Extra pass.
13:57Moose Brown for three.
13:58And Brown knocks it in.
14:00He's been trending upward on his three-point shooting, Scott.
14:03He's up to just over 35%.
14:05He was down in the 20s for a while.
14:07David Adamant told us on his radio interview that he wanted Murray to pass that sooner.
14:14And then that three ball comes into play.
14:19And the jumper is good by Collins.
14:22Collins is shooting a career-high 43%.
14:25Now Jokic under the ground, and Brown lays it up and in.
14:29Brown just lurking in the dunker spot.
14:31Let's see if Jokic posts up on the elbow, and you're going to double-team from low to high,
14:36there's going to be guys open like that.
14:38Now long range, Collins, no, and Jokic boxing out.
14:47Now Jokic to Christian Brown, he's got it, sits up Murray perfectly.
14:51Four-three, no good.
14:53Collins the rebound.
14:58Mattel.
14:59Mattel.
15:00And Mattel knocks it in.
15:01It could be a little bit of a spark, though.
15:03You said that a while ago.
15:04He gets hot.
15:05I've seen him with the Pacers shoot that team to win and shoot that team to losses.
15:11You saw that Hardaway has come on with Bruce Brown.
15:14They usually come in together.
15:15There's in traffic under the Christian back.
15:18Puts it off, but it's blocked.
15:20Out of bounds.
15:21It'll be Nuggets basketball.
15:29Nuggets with a four-point lead going in the second time out.
15:34Man, one of Denver's finest.
15:36Guy that will always be missed and loved.
15:39Passed away this past weekend.
15:41And, boy, the memorials and the memories of not only Doug, the coach for the Denver Nuggets,
15:49but Doug, the friend, Doug, the father, Doug, the mentor.
15:53He'll truly, truly be...
15:57Time now for the whole story presented by AdventHealth.
16:01A quick recap of All-Star 2026, which happened right here in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome.
16:07Nicole Jokic and Jamal Murray representing the Denver Nuggets all weekend long.
16:13Jamal Murray in the three-point contest as well.
16:15And then both of them playing for Team World in that competition on Sunday.
16:21Nicole Jokic didn't play a ton of minutes, but, of course, was there for the Denver Nuggets,
16:26for Team World.
16:27Jamal Murray in his first All-Star game.
16:30It's the first pair of Nuggets teammates selected to an All-Star game since Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups in
16:362010.
16:36Guys, did you like the new format?
16:38Did you watch all of the events?
16:39I didn't watch all of the events, but I did watch the games.
16:43And I thought the games, at least the first three games, were really good.
16:47Really good.
16:48Went down to the final shot or shots.
16:51I was kind of pulling a little bit for Jokic and the world team, but it was not to be.
16:56And then the Americans came facing off.
16:58It did feel like there was a different level of competition.
17:01I will say that.
17:02Well, there was more lookies' views as Joker shoots an airball.
17:07More looking ins.
17:08I read somewhere, since, for 24 years, they haven't had for the whole weekend together.
17:178.8 million viewers across NBC Peacock and Telemundo, our friends.
17:22So, I think they've kind of turned that around.
17:25At least they figured out the games.
17:27The contest, they're still going to adjust those, we think.
17:32Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, Katie Winge.
17:34Nuggets led by as many as nine at 15-6.
17:37Spencer Jones has come on, and the Clippers, after a slow start, are heating up.
17:41Well, they got Matheringhardt, is what they've got.
17:43Two threes, another basket right there.
17:46He's come off the bench for nine quickly.
17:51Jokic open for a moment.
17:52They don't get it to him now.
17:54He's got it, and a pushing foul.
18:01Niederhauser picks up the foul.
18:03He's first.
18:056'10".
18:06He's a 22-year-old rookie.
18:08Fourth Swiss player.
18:10Drafted into the NBA.
18:16Jokic looking for cutters, as he does.
18:19Spencer Jones unloads, in and out.
18:23Fiddler's could take the lead right here for the first time.
18:32Fiddler, number 22, is on.
18:34He's in the right corner.
18:41Shot in the lane, no.
18:42Offensive rebound, yes.
18:46And the Clippers out hustling the Nuggets that time.
18:48They tie it up at 24.
18:49Well, six in there, 24 points, a second chance.
18:53Denver was zero.
18:55Another turnover.
18:5710-2 run for the Clips.
18:59Nick Batum is in, a deadly three-point shooter.
19:07That's Jordan Moore creating the contact and drawing the foul.
19:14Good initial start for Denver,
19:17and then just really kind of nothing since then.
19:23Joker just four points.
19:24He does have five boards, but he's two of six,
19:27including that last air ball from the three-point line.
19:30Second foul on Bruce Brown.
19:33That free throw, no good.
19:34Hey, game on.
19:35Red Bull's in play at Circle K.
19:37By a 3 for 650 on any Red Bull Energy 8.4-ounce drink.
19:47So, as Scott mentioned a little bit earlier,
19:49some of the players are on minutes restrictions tonight.
19:52But we weren't given the entire rundown.
19:58We'll see how that affects the Nuggets on the road.
20:05And Jokic, and he comes up short.
20:09We just had a little touch.
20:11See that in those last couple games before the All-Star break.
20:16How do we rest still there?
20:18That's off the mark.
20:20Jokic has it.
20:22Snap it.
20:23Hardaway from Bruce.
20:24And the Nuggets, after a hot start, can't buy one now.
20:28They're trailed.
20:295-1.
20:41Inside out.
20:42Long range three.
20:44That's no good.
20:45It caroms out to Cam Johnson.
20:49The Nuggets, second half.
20:52Jokic's trying to draw the foul.
20:53Let's see if they give him the shooting foul.
20:55This is what Jokic has been telling Pat Freyer.
20:57I'm in my shooting motion.
20:59Why is that not a three-point attempt?
21:04So, he sees him coming up.
21:06I mean, he reaches in.
21:09He doesn't drag.
21:11Well, he drags across a little bit.
21:13Niederhauser called for the foul.
21:16Well, Jokic has been making that point.
21:18Whenever you see someone coming to foul him way, way out,
21:21he gets into that shooting motion.
21:23You see Jokic's last game at the Intuit Dome, November 12th.
21:27Nuggets won it by 14.
21:30Jokic with 55.
21:32That night he was cooking.
21:3418 of 23.
21:355 of 6 from 3.
21:36And it made 14 of 16 free throws.
21:40Well, he's missed as many shots here in the first quarter
21:43as he missed in that entire game.
21:45Jokic is out for 16 games.
21:50Murray Navigating.
21:53Jokic is going to try another three.
21:54That's no good.
21:55All the threes are short.
21:58Now, two of eight.
22:01The final ten seconds here.
22:04Matherin has come in and given the Clips a lift.
22:09Matherin.
22:10Murray got caught up in the screen.
22:12And that's the end of the first quarter.
22:14Nuggets led by as many as nine.
22:17The Clippers, however, at the break, they lead by one.
22:21You're watching Altitude, your home for Nuggets basketball.
22:24Altitude Sports brought to you by Ibotta.
22:27Download the free app using code Nuggets to start earning cash back on groceries and more today.
22:31By Bet365, whatever the moment, it's never ordinary at Bet365.
22:36By Kaiser Permanente, a better idea for health care.
22:39And by King Soopers, fresh for everyone.
22:45Well, the first quarter in the books, there's a good look at Ty Lue, the head coach.
22:50Widely respected his sixth season with the Clippers in 2016.
22:54You might remember, led Cleveland to its first ever NBA title.
22:59Taking out the 73-win, Golden State Warriors.
23:04Well, I'm showing three-win.
23:06Yeah.
23:08So we begin the second period.
23:12And they're going to say no basket.
23:18Let's go over to Katie.
23:19Guys, David Elliman told his group at the end of the first quarter, he said,
23:22if we get great shots, we have to keep shooting them.
23:24That's kind of in relation to what you guys have been talking about,
23:27about them starting off hot, not making shots that they usually make late in that quarter.
23:30And then he said, regardless of what happens offensively, we can't get down defensively.
23:34We have to stay in the fight on that side of the ball.
23:36And an interesting note from Christian Brown, too, talking to the guys in that huddle.
23:39Take care of the basketball.
23:40We win the game.
23:41That's what he told them.
23:43That's for sure.
23:44Turnovers have been a consistent problem for this Nuggets team.
23:48They come kind of in flurries.
23:50And Spencer Jones with a near strip.
23:53He's out of bounds.
23:55Remember, in the first quarter with five and a half to go,
23:57the Nuggets led 17-8, but the Clippers closing on a 13-5 run.
24:05So tight action now as we begin the second quarter.
24:09I mean, Nuggets basketball.
24:13Nuggets on the road.
24:14You may know this, 20-9, they're the most road wins of any NBA team.
24:21Now, Bruce Brown.
24:24The only foul in Tunis has come on for Jokic.
24:28And the ball kicked once again.
24:31We rode over with the owners on the bus.
24:33He seemed kind of pumped and ready to go tonight, didn't you think?
24:36It rested, felt good, hair looks perfect.
24:39The hair or the beard, did you say?
24:44Now, Valanchunas is going to be guarded by a much smaller man here.
24:49Big Val, 16-footer.
24:51Round and out, Batum.
24:52So the Nuggets have gone stone cold here.
25:00Wide open look for Batum.
25:02No good.
25:03Offensive rebound by Miller.
25:08And Kylian on it in the lane.
25:10Puts it to bed.
25:13Well, it makes it tough on the Nuggets if they can't score.
25:16And that's what happened here.
25:20Already eight second chance points.
25:23Here are the clips.
25:28Let's get that pressure and hard.
25:32And Kawhi Leonard strips it from Valanchunas out of bounds.
25:36Double, double that dribble, the dribble handoffs and then rotating that third guy to the next easiest roll guy.
25:45See if they can pour some turnovers.
25:46Nearly got one there.
25:48Hardaway.
25:49In and out.
25:50Another miss for Denver.
25:51And what they earned is a tough shot late in the clock.
25:56Mathurn.
25:58No.
25:59Valanchunas, yes.
26:01Bruce Brown's got it.
26:02Bruce is on the run.
26:03Gets to the right hand.
26:04And guard away.
26:07Just a bad pass.
26:08Down, down below the knee.
26:14On the Nuggets.
26:17You see 11 turnovers.
26:19That's why misses there.
26:20Bruce Brown's got it.
26:21Nuggets trying to push the pace.
26:25Spencer Jones got the active offense.
26:28Hardaway off the glass.
26:30Nuggets finally get off the threaded 24.
26:33And trail by one here.
26:36Isaiah Jackson has come on.
26:41Now wide open work.
26:43Miller, no.
26:44Great box out.
26:46Bruce Brown on the run.
26:48Bruce Brown all the way.
26:49Euro step.
26:51And one.
26:52Got it.
26:54Just a little Euro step and went back inside.
26:57And I think it was Isaiah Jackson that's trying to go for it.
27:00He's running even, running even.
27:01Jackson steps in front of him and he's in a slab down.
27:05That step gets him away from Kawhi.
27:07And then Jackson just went to reach on that right side.
27:11And Bruce, who, another guy that, going into the break, was really starting to finish around the rim, playing better.
27:20Well, Bruce Brown is at the line where he shoots 70-70 percent.
27:26And they're not going to play in all 56 games, including tonight.
27:30He's been an Iron Man so far.
27:32And the Nuggets have the lead back.
27:3629-27 Denver.
27:40Jackson apparently reliable backup center.
27:42Now close in the line, throw it up.
27:46Balanchunas.
27:49Back to Brown.
27:53The rest of the world here, Don, a very capable defender.
27:57Hardhead clips are good at the hardheads, aren't they?
28:01You've got a lot of athletic guys, similar size.
28:03I mean, if you look out there, Don, smallest guy.
28:06But the other four, basically, right there in that same area.
28:10And Don, always known as a good defensive guard.
28:15Going to be side out of bounds.
28:17Second foul on Jackson.
28:18Dunn, interestingly, was drafted two picks
28:20before the Nuggets took Jamal Murray back in 2016.
28:25Murray's got it guarded by Baton.
28:27Excuse me, it's Cam Johnson.
28:29And they're still going to dribble in the traffic.
28:34It's just a turnover that he's just dribbling the traffic.
28:38Nowhere to go.
28:42What a clip is making it tough on the Nuggets
28:45to get inbound passes, just to make a little bounce passes.
28:48With their defensive pressure.
28:49Then you commit a foul on the back end of Jackson's third.
28:53But you don't have a true point guard out there.
28:56And so, it's actually smart by the clipper.
28:59You don't have a true ball handler.
29:01So, what do you do?
29:02Push up.
29:03Push up and pressure.
29:04And then, Bruce, that time, picks it up just on the other side of half court.
29:08Now, you're kind of stuck.
29:09Brooke Lopez in for Jackson, who has the three fouls.
29:12So, Brooke Lopez will match with big fouls.
29:18Bruce Browning line throws it up and in.
29:21So, Bruce Brown coming off the bench and providing a little bit of punch.
29:25Yeah, I'd say.
29:26He's got ten points here in the first half.
29:33Jones shadowing Kawhi Leonard.
29:35Now, let's rotate.
29:37Mathlin.
29:38And Mathlin knocks it down.
29:40Yeah, but you rotate to the shooter who's already made two threes.
29:43And you rotate with your hands down.
29:45So, he's just aiming at some wide-open shot.
29:48Ball knocked away.
29:49Dunn pressuring Brown now.
29:56Clever's making it tough.
29:57You've got to make that pass quicker.
29:59Hardaway lets it fly.
30:02And a good rebound.
30:03Spencer Jones.
30:04Bruce Brown shoots a three.
30:05That's good.
30:07Thirteen first-half points for Bruce E.B.
30:10And the first offense, he rebounded it.
30:12You're rewarded with a three-pointer.
30:16Well, Bruce Brown doing it on the defensive end and on the offensive end.
30:22Spencer Jones comes up with a rebound.
30:24And Brown giving the Nuggets a two-point lead.
30:27Welcome back to the Intuit Dome, where the Denver Nuggets have a two-point lead over the Clippers
30:32midway through the second quarter.
30:34It is time now to see who you can count on more.
30:36Brought to you by UMB Bank.
30:39Two players, one on each team, coming off the bench
30:42and making an impact.
30:44Benedict Matherin, a recent addition to this Los Angeles Clippers team.
30:48Scotty, you mentioned that he caught fire, has caught fire so far.
30:51Five of eight from the field, two of two from three.
30:53But Bruce Brown, the energy that he has brought in, perfect from the field.
30:57Five of five with two made threes as well.
31:00So, two players coming off the bench, recognizing what their team has needed,
31:04and they've been able to execute so far, guys.
31:06And Nuggets need that, Katie, from Bruce Brown.
31:09And, by the way, you look awful lonesome just sitting there in your little corner all by yourself.
31:17I'm not alone.
31:20I'm part of the crew.
31:21We're just diagonally an arm stretch away.
31:26Hey, Katie, that was a really nice piece at the top of the show, out in the wall section.
31:30Are you allowed to go back into that area, even though you're the enemy now?
31:34That's so funny that you would want me to go and do that, Chris Merlot.
31:37Why don't you hang out on the wall?
31:38Well, I have to anchor.
31:40I have to anchor our position up top here.
31:42I can, but I'm also very, very close to the wall.
31:44So, I can hear them getting excited, chanting.
31:47They only have pom-poms today, but remember when they had the horse heads during the playoffs?
31:52They were trying to distract Nicola Jokic with them.
31:54Very creative, very clever.
31:56Let's see if the Denver Nuggets, Katie, can get going here.
31:59Murray.
32:01Murray Hayley turned up now.
32:04And the Clippers have it.
32:06Well, the Nuggets shooting.
32:09They're down to 45%.
32:10They made five of 15 threes.
32:12Remember, they started three of four.
32:16Now, over to Murray.
32:17He's due.
32:18He sets.
32:19He fires.
32:19He gets the triple.
32:21Right on cue.
32:23And the Nuggets back up.
32:24That's big.
32:25Murray was 0 for 4 before that one.
32:27That's needed.
32:28Murray's three-point shooting percentage, 42.5% on the season.
32:33Now, Lopez for three.
32:34That's no good.
32:35Valanchunas cradles the rebound.
32:44And Murray, Dunn, is all over.
32:47Now, Dunn over to Christian Brown.
32:50Nuggets taking too much time.
32:52Murray's double.
32:52He has that throw it away again.
32:54You see that there's that double team right away.
32:57The hard heads who come out.
32:58They're trying to switch who they want.
33:00But when they switch to the big, Lopez just stays out.
33:03But that third rotation guy is already there.
33:08Midway through the second quarter.
33:13Spencer Jones got to be aggressive on the offensive end.
33:17Murray trying to turn the corner.
33:18Toughest shot on the night for Murray.
33:20He needs to bounce.
33:20He doesn't get it.
33:21It's up and over and out.
33:24Explain what you're talking about, Scott.
33:26Well, look at this.
33:26Once he comes on the screen, double team.
33:28See that third?
33:29Dunn's already over there.
33:29That's Christian Brown's guy.
33:31He just leaves him or rotates.
33:32As soon as you see that guy coming, I think, whether Murray knows it or not,
33:38Christian's got to flash hard right to the free throw line inside where that high pick was.
33:44And that guy's rotated to right to that free throw line.
33:47You've got three on two underneath the free throw line.
33:49Now Kawhi Allen shoots a three.
33:50That's no good.
33:51So Murray can see him there, too, right at the free throw line.
33:53Yeah, you've got to be able to see him.
33:55Please tell everybody, if you can't see him, he's not going to see you.
33:59Now Bruce Brown.
34:02He checked for Brown.
34:03Got it again.
34:05Bruce Brown sizzling here in the first half.
34:1016 points.
34:11He hasn't missed a shot.
34:12Six for six.
34:13Three for three.
34:14On triple.
34:19Most points and a half this season.
34:22As the Nuggets lead by three, five minutes to go until halftime.
34:30Murray guarded by Jones Jr. now.
34:32He's a good defender.
34:33They double.
34:34Someone's open.
34:35Oh, right through the hands of Allen Tunis.
34:38Pass might have been a little bit hot.
34:40Jones Jr. throws it up.
34:41No.
34:42Pick it up.
34:42Yes.
34:43Not sure who got there.
34:45Three flippers around.
34:47I think Kawhi got in there.
34:48Just another offensive rebound for more points.
34:51All right.
34:5240 to 39.
34:54The Nuggets lead it.
34:55Right now, let's head back to Chris Dempsey for the Kaiser Permanente Sports Break.
34:58Chris, what do you got?
35:07That's what I have.
35:08By now, you know that Spencer Jones has been signed to a standard contract from the two-way.
35:12Well, part two to that is who takes Spencer Jones' two-way spot?
35:17Well, that will be a player that CU Buff fans know very well.
35:20That is K.J. Simpson signed to the Nuggets' two-way deal for the former CU star.
35:28Really nice to see you play for the Charlotte Hornets earlier this season is now with the Nuggets.
35:33So, congratulations to K.J. Simpson.
35:35The Nuggets up by one.
35:37Get you back out to L.A. after this.
35:401.441 to go until halftime.
35:43Time now for a live odds update brought to you by FanDuel.
35:46Remember, the Nuggets a four-and-a-half-point road favorite.
35:51And it's still the same.
35:53Money line is minus 230.
35:55Total points, 217-and-a-half.
35:58They're not optimistic about going big tonight with the points, Scott.
36:01Well, I mean, Denver's shooting 47 and they've upped it from 42 at the quarter.
36:08And Cleveland's shooting 42 right now.
36:12Let's go over to Katie.
36:14Guys, you were talking about Jamal Murray when he gets double-teamed.
36:16He needs outlets.
36:17That's exactly what David Adelman was talking to the team about during that timeout.
36:21He mentioned it specifically to Christian Brown when Jamal Murray sees a couple bodies.
36:25Everybody's got to move to get open so that he has an outlet in those situations.
36:29He also told his team, got to execute, play through these shooting struggles that they're having right now.
36:33They're really struggling.
36:34Jokic just missed the layup there.
36:36He's back in, which is the good news.
36:38Six points, seven rebounds, three assists for Jokic.
36:42Now, corner three.
36:44Collins, no.
36:45Murray's got the rebound.
36:46Need to get Murray and Jokic going.
36:48Christian Brown is back in, and his shot is blocked from behind.
36:52And there might be the ankle right there.
36:54That's Christian Brown, usually dunking that.
36:57And what did he do?
36:57He's going to go up and lay it, lay it up, which is Lyle's calling to catch him.
37:02Now, Julian Strother back in, and he buries the three.
37:06Well, Julian Strother, when he's getting minutes, he is playing well.
37:13Hasn't played a whole lot.
37:15Look at the steal.
37:16Three on one.
37:17Give it to Brown, and Brown finishes.
37:21Christian Brown, by far the Nuggets' best fast-breakers runner.
37:25Wouldn't you agree to that?
37:26Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
37:27Still not 100%, I don't think, on that ankle, but getting better, isn't it?
37:30Six-point lead for Denver on an 11-4 run.
37:36What a difference it makes when Jokic is back into the game.
37:41And nobody boxing out.
37:43John Collins.
37:45Well, Collins, who's a terrific offensive rebounder.
37:50Well, you've got four guards of Joker, and so you've got a guard playing the power forward position.
37:5645-41 Nuggets.
38:00Murray crosses it in to Brown, and Brown is fouled.
38:04Well, Bruce Brown, he's got impeccable taste on when to cut to the rip.
38:10And it wasn't as hard of a double as we've seen, but it was still a big out there.
38:16And so someone on that back side is open that time, Murray able to have a little space out for
38:21that handoff and finds the gutter, which is Bruce Brown.
38:26And Brown at the line.
38:27He knocks it.
38:29Well, he thought it was in, and it came right back out.
38:32Nuggets, the fifth-best free-throw shooting team, as Dunn will come back on.
38:36And he'll replace Kawhi Leonard.
38:41Kawhi, so far, nine points on four of 11 shooting.
38:47One more for Bruce, and he makes it.
38:49One of two there.
38:52Chris Dunn.
38:55Remember, Darius Garland, Bradley Beal, both out.
38:58Conceivably, that could be their starting backcourt.
39:03Now, Lopez in on Jokic.
39:05Lopez throws it up.
39:07No, and Jokic goes and gets it.
39:09Now, Murray on the move.
39:12Murray just three points.
39:13He had that one-three.
39:14Going to work with Jokic.
39:16They double out.
39:17Oh, Jokic wide open.
39:18He missed it.
39:20Jokic still open.
39:23Murray being pressured by Jones Jr.
39:25Murray going to shoot it over Jones Jr.
39:28Murray in the lane, scooping it up.
39:30No.
39:32Christian Brown, interception.
39:35Alley-oop to Brown.
39:36Back to Strother.
39:37How hot is he?
39:38Red hot!
39:41Julian Strother.
39:42Yeah, get your red hot.
39:44Strother has not missed.
39:45He's got 12 points.
39:47Four for four shooting.
39:48And the Nuggets back up by eight.
39:56Long range, Jones Jr. short.
39:58Another rebound to Jokic.
40:00Outlet to Murray going to ride it in.
40:02He got that blocked by Lopez.
40:05Murray now just one of seven.
40:07Jokic, two of nine.
40:09The others are doing their job.
40:11Strother with the steal.
40:13That's Bruce Brown.
40:18And he left it short.
40:20And Bruce frustrated with himself there.
40:25Kind of faded away that one little one-hander.
40:29Ross took a little momentum out of his jump when he faded on it.
40:33Just shot it short, trying to get it over Brooke Lopez.
40:41And the Clippers will have it.
40:43And I was assured by a number of their insiders, they are still trying to win.
40:48They would like to get into the play in the playoffs.
40:51Of course, for Ty Lue, he's used to success.
40:54At home, they're 13 and 11.
40:57On the road, they really struggled, 13 and 17.
41:06They've got a very forgiving schedule, we were told.
41:11Whereas the Nuggets have the hardest schedule after the All-Star break of any team in the NBA.
41:17First bank halftime report coming up next.
41:33And it's going to be a screening foul on Lopez.
41:36And he is hot.
41:38He wants a challenge that he won't do.
41:40That will be two on Lopez.
41:42Well, I'll side with Lopez from this.
41:45Lopez, he knocked the way out of Julian Strother.
41:50And he gave him a full step, though.
41:52That's where he didn't move.
41:54And Lopez is hot at the coaches.
41:58He's not challenging.
41:59He is steaming.
42:00Niederhauser comes in.
42:01But he didn't give him a full step on what they would have seen.
42:05A blind screen.
42:06Great pass.
42:08And Johnson from the corner.
42:10Now, Cam warming up.
42:12Last three games prior to the break, shot 56% from three.
42:18Got 10 points here in the first half tonight.
42:20So off to a good start.
42:22Nuggets in the zone.
42:24Where are they?
42:25Jokic comes up.
42:28Go forward in the lane.
42:29And it's good by Bernard Mathlin.
42:32Excuse me, Benedict Mathlin.
42:34You're dropping coverage.
42:37And the guy on top never gets down
42:39near or in front of the offensive player.
42:42Tough.
42:44Jokic.
42:47Murray.
42:48Good pump fake.
42:49Off balance.
42:50Three.
42:51To beat the clock.
42:52No.
42:53And that will do it.
42:56So it was tied at 37.
42:58The Nuggets went 15-8 since.
43:02And we are at the half.
43:07When we come back,
43:09the first bank halftime report
43:11will be steaming.
43:14With Vic Lombardi and Chris Dempsey.
43:18Stay through for that.
43:29Ventress Toyota 4Runner.
43:31It's available now
43:32at your front range Toyota stores.
43:37Well, the Denver Nuggets
43:38have carved out
43:39a seven-point halftime lead
43:42as we head to the third quarter.
43:43But first,
43:43let's check in with Scott Hastings
43:45presented by HCA Health 1.
43:47Scott,
43:47we talked about that last game
43:49before the break
43:50and we've been talking about
43:51the first half.
43:51The double team of Murray
43:53off a pick and roll.
43:54This time it's with Bruce Brown.
43:55You see Dunn's already
43:56rotated over there.
43:57He just waits for Murray
43:58not to see him.
44:00Makes a pass to give him
44:01well, they lay up.
44:02Second one's with Joker.
44:03Now watch.
44:04Here's going to be Collins.
44:05He already rotated over,
44:06but guess what?
44:07It wasn't a tight double team.
44:09Now Murray sees him.
44:11That's exactly what Bruce
44:12has got to do.
44:12His man leaves to double
44:14or rotate.
44:15He's got to find
44:16the window a hole somewhere.
44:18That time he got
44:19a couple of free throws
44:20because he saw his man
44:21leave to go get Joker.
44:2217 first half points
44:24for Bruce Brown.
44:25Strother at 12.
44:26Murray and Yorker struggled
44:27a bit.
44:29Just seven points
44:30between them.
44:31Three of 18 between them.
44:33So here we go.
44:34Kawhi Leonard on the way
44:36and that's good.
44:36He's really improved
44:37his three-point shooting.
44:39He's at 38.5%
44:41in on the season.
44:4552 to 48.
44:50Murray hands.
44:54In the Jokic battle
44:55away and storm.
45:01We're going to try another three.
45:03Cam Johnson on the plane of the right hand.
45:06Missed it and Jokic taps it.
45:08Luckily he did.
45:10It might have been another
45:11offensive rebound.
45:13Jokic trying to get Murray going.
45:15Murray's in the lane.
45:16Murray put it up.
45:16No.
45:17Cam Johnson goes to get it.
45:20Strawler deep three.
45:22No good.
45:23Lopez the rebound.
45:30He's held quite Leonard
45:31to nine points
45:32in that first half.
45:34There's a rebound.
45:35Jokic who had nine
45:37in the first half.
45:40Murray's got it.
45:41One man to beat.
45:42It's no calls.
45:43And Murray wheels and deals
45:45into a little bunny there.
45:47He needs to see one or two go in
45:49and see if we get that flurry
45:50going a little bit.
45:52Oh, that would be nice.
45:54Almost felt like it was going to
45:55flurry today here in Los Angeles.
45:57Temperature got down
45:58into the 40s.
46:02Makes for a tough swim.
46:04Now Kawhi Leonard
46:06in on Christian Brown.
46:09And Kawhi knocks it in.
46:11Well, Christian just
46:12gets to the side too much.
46:14When he does that,
46:15he's opened up
46:16in the lane for Kawhi
46:17to get that little flat shot.
46:20Coming out,
46:20trying to stay in front of him.
46:21Strader wide open for three.
46:24And he nails it
46:25becoming very reliable.
46:27Jokic playing the facilitator.
46:31Strader's got 15 points.
46:37And pushing Murray out of the way
46:40was Jones Jr.
46:41One-time slam dunk contest
46:43back in 2020.
46:44The slam dunk contest winner.
46:48Now Jokic is on the move.
46:50Sets up Cam Johnson.
46:52He shoots a tree.
46:53That's no good.
46:55And Johnson is down.
47:06Let's hope it's just
47:07a swipe of the face
47:08instead of something else.
47:09Collins flies at him.
47:11Yeah, he gets him.
47:20Apparently right in the eyeballs,
47:21they take a peek.
47:22You know, the silly foul.
47:24They're going to look and see
47:25if it's flagrant.
47:28Just a silly foul by Collins.
47:32Shot would have been missed.
47:33Now you're going to look like
47:34you're going to give him
47:35three free throws.
47:37Pat Frayer is the crew chief.
47:40Kevin Cutler, Michael Smith with him.
47:44This is good actually for Cam.
47:46You get hit in the eye.
47:47It's tough sometimes
47:48to get poked in the eye
47:48and they get right up there
47:49and have to shoot a free throw.
47:52Cam Johnson, you know,
47:53he played his college ball
47:54at North Carolina.
47:56Actually, a draft pick
47:57of the Timberwolves
47:59back in 2019.
48:00There he is.
48:0129 years old now.
48:02Let's take another look at it.
48:10And just the swipe right there.
48:14Is a poke in the eye
48:15of flagrant to you?
48:17Well, I think that they got to look
48:19at and see if he's deemed it.
48:20Was he aiming to try to hit him
48:22in the eye or was he just being
48:24not a smart defensive player
48:26and just kept the hand up
48:27and slapped him?
48:28Collins has great athletic ability.
48:31So does Jones Jr.
48:32They can really fly out and close.
48:36So, fun review.
48:37There is no windup.
48:39There is some contact in the face
48:40but there's no follow-through.
48:41Therefore, this could remain
48:42a common foul.
48:44The play will resume
48:44with three free throws
48:45for Johnson.
48:48I asked Zach Zarba,
48:49if you block a three-point shot
48:52and then hit the guy in the neck,
48:54is that a foul?
48:55He blocked the ball first
48:56and then come down.
48:57You had asked me that
48:58a couple times.
48:59So, I asked Zach Zarba
49:00and he goes,
49:00depends how hard he hits it.
49:02Did you agree?
49:03No, that's what he said.
49:05It depends on the contact.
49:06If it's a brush,
49:07they're not going to call it.
49:08But if you take him out
49:09into the VIPs.
49:10But when you were asking
49:11the question,
49:12you weren't asking him
49:13if it was just block shot.
49:15No, no, no.
49:16I said you block the shot
49:17and you come down
49:18and you hit the guy in the neck.
49:19Is that a foul?
49:20Yes.
49:20That's what I said.
49:21He said,
49:21depends how hard the contact is.
49:24That's the automatic out.
49:26Well, marginal contact,
49:28which you know,
49:28and then there's illegal contact.
49:31As Cam Johnson rolls in
49:32the free throw.
49:38Now get this low zero-down lease
49:40on a built Ford Tough F-150
49:41for just $479 a month.
49:46One underrated skill
49:47for Cam Johnson
49:48is his free throw shooting ability.
49:5181%.
49:53The wall trying to
49:56give him the business
49:59and he gives it right back.
50:01And Katie Wenge,
50:02the wall not working
50:03as the Denver Nuggets.
50:06Let me see.
50:07They've only shot seven free throws.
50:08They made five.
50:11And an eight-point lead.
50:13The first key down at that end.
50:22The joker just two and nine,
50:24open three from three.
50:25He's got four points,
50:26three assists,
50:27but 11 rebounds.
50:30Murray's struggling a little bit too.
50:31He's got five points,
50:32one of four from three,
50:33but just two of 11.
50:35Do you give the Clippers
50:35defense credit on that,
50:37or is it Murray and Jokic
50:38just are not clicking?
50:40They look tired to me,
50:42to be honest with you.
50:43Murray and Jokic?
50:44Yeah, if I'm being real honest.
50:45From the All-Star festivities
50:47and travel.
50:47Whatever,
50:48Murray a lot of minutes
50:49before the break and then
50:50they all start weekend.
50:51You're on your feet really
50:52for four days.
50:55Eight-point lead for Denver,
50:5760 to 52.
51:00Collins,
51:01pass it out.
51:03Jones,
51:04good defense by Cam.
51:07They're late,
51:09and Murray goes in
51:10for the defensive rebound.
51:12All hands on deck.
51:13Shovelland,
51:14Australian,
51:15puts it up,
51:16no good.
51:17Might have been blocked
51:18or just a miss.
51:21Basket counts foul.
51:27Clippers only,
51:28as we mentioned,
51:29averaging 112 points a game.
51:31That's 26th best
51:32that they get out
51:33on the break here.
51:38Two fouls now
51:39on Nikola Jokic.
51:40That's always a concern.
51:43When he plays,
51:45the Clippers
51:4766%
51:48winning percentage
51:49when he doesn't,
51:50Clippers 49%
51:52winning percentage.
51:52That's how valuable he is.
51:54Well,
51:54that 49%
51:55a lot of that's
51:57with Harden was playing
51:58when he was.
51:59Already traded off
52:00to Cleveland.
52:01You know that.
52:02Now Jokic.
52:05Jokic in the lane.
52:07Looking for the dunker spot
52:09instead a little far away
52:10and he's short.
52:16Collins going to back
52:17Murray down.
52:19Or the camp Johnson
52:20and the layup is good
52:22to Jones Jr.
52:23It's Camp Johnson
52:24fighting right there.
52:25Jamal went to sleep
52:26a little bit.
52:26Let Jones Jr.
52:27Just cut baseline
52:28and get right by him.
52:30Murray down the middle.
52:31Jokic over the Strother.
52:33And Strother hits again.
52:35So Jokic is a favorite
52:38new partner there
52:39on the wing.
52:41Julian Strother
52:42knocking him in.
52:44Strother's got 18.
52:46That's one off his season hot.
52:49Jones Jr.
52:50That's good.
52:51I can't get caught up
52:52in the screen though.
52:56And the long pass is no good.
52:58That'll go against
52:59Denver.
52:59Denver turtle.
53:05Just really sloppy.
53:07Really not a lot of energy
53:08in my opinion
53:09coming out of the All-Star break.
53:13Leonard.
53:14And that covers within one
53:16that ball gets a quarter inch
53:20above that rim
53:21when he shoots that little inside
53:22the three-foot-line jumper.
53:24He's got six made threes.
53:26That ties the career.
53:28Back up Christian Brown.
53:30Yes.
53:31And a foul.
53:31Nuggets needed that.
53:33Good give and go there.
53:36And Christian with his six-point.
53:38Jokic gets the assist.
53:39That's his fifth.
53:43Collins again reaching in late.
53:45Didn't move the feet.
53:46Watch the arm reach though.
53:49See that.
53:50That's what you do with guys
53:51under pressure in the balls
53:52who are like Dennis right there.
53:54Impression so hard.
53:55He kind of reacts to the past.
53:57Well, now he's out of position.
53:58Give and go.
53:59And if that third guy
54:01that time was Collins,
54:02it doesn't react.
54:03You're going to get layups.
54:09So now I'm so junior.
54:11No, and Yoke, it's up high.
54:14Give it to Joker.
54:15Down the middle he comes.
54:17Cam Johnson sets.
54:18That's no good.
54:19And Lopez the rebound.
54:22Now Kwan Leonard.
54:25Too high.
54:26Shaq on a ladder.
54:27Couldn't have caught that one.
54:28Murray.
54:29And up Strother.
54:31Saw the weak side defense coming.
54:33Jokic is there
54:35and he is hit and fouled.
54:37And they may take a look at this one.
54:39That's on Collins again.
54:41Yeah, and Jokic
54:42hit right in the face.
54:4866-62 the score at the moment.
54:50Before we go to break,
54:51let's head back to Chris Dempsey
54:52for the Intermountain Health
54:53sports break.
54:55Chris.
54:57Denver Nuggets basketball
54:58on Altitude Sports
54:59is brought to you by
55:00HCA Health 1
55:01dedicated to the health
55:02and well-being of our community
55:03in creating a healthier tomorrow.
55:05By Pathwater,
55:07the exclusive water partner
55:08of the Denver Nuggets.
55:10By your local Ford stores.
55:11Ready, set, forward.
55:12And by Jack in the Box,
55:14the hot mess is back
55:16as a munchie meal
55:17for Jack's 75th anniversary.
55:21Sounds tasty.
55:22I'm Chris Marlow
55:23with Scott Hastings,
55:24Katie Wenge,
55:25Nikola Jokic,
55:26and the Nuggets lead by four.
55:30And Jokic just a moment ago
55:31gets whacked in the face.
55:33He goes, 13th board.
55:36Easy to call.
55:38Again, it's Collins.
55:41Of course, you know,
55:44it's Nikola Jokic's
55:4531st birthday.
55:49And the last time
55:51he was in this building,
55:52he had 55 in November.
55:54And Jokic drops it through.
55:57Four straight double-doubles
55:58heading into the break.
55:59He started the season
56:01with four straight
56:04and 20 on the season.
56:08And the wall not working still
56:10as Jokic puts two in
56:11and a six-point lead.
56:21done.
56:26Now, Lopez
56:28runs into a double-team
56:29and puts it up and in.
56:30Nice play.
56:32Nuggets out of the break.
56:33Christian Brown got a euro.
56:35No, he's going to pass it out.
56:36He's going to reset.
56:37Gone up by the heat of God.
56:41And Jokic fouled again.
56:43And Lopez
56:47protesting.
56:53He got his hands in.
56:54Joker just sells it
56:56with a little head flop.
56:58Some histrionics by Lopez.
57:01Lopez got to play
57:02in the Eastern Conference
57:03where there's no big guys
57:04in the play.
57:06Former member of the
57:08Milwaukee Bucks.
57:10And Murray under Jones.
57:11Fabulous pass
57:12threading the needle.
57:13And they tried to hedge out
57:15but they didn't stop him
57:16but double him.
57:17He kept the dribble around,
57:18turned the corner.
57:19Now, now you're in trouble
57:20if you're in L.A.
57:21Six-point Nuggets lead
57:22midway through the third quarter.
57:26And Leonard,
57:28soft double there.
57:31Jones Jr.
57:33shot, he missed it.
57:35Strother having a good game.
57:38His brother's career high
57:39is 23, season high is 20.
57:42Now Jokic is in the lane.
57:44Strother pulls the trigger
57:45again, short.
57:46Brown goes and gets it.
57:47Wasn't ready for that one.
57:49Not be ready.
57:50You're starting with
57:50these guys now.
57:53Now Jokic's going to drag
57:54another foul on Lopez.
57:55Nope.
57:57Back to Cam Johnson.
57:58And Cam is short.
58:00Rebound Leonard.
58:01His last four shots
58:02but short like that.
58:03When Leonard failed to make
58:05the All-Star team,
58:06he was added later
58:07by David Stein.
58:09Times no.
58:10Volleyballed out.
58:11Cam Johnson racing
58:13and he puts it away.
58:15That's just good hustle
58:16by Cam.
58:17Fabulous play by Cam Johnson.
58:19He's got 15 now.
58:21And the Nuggets,
58:22their lead back up to eight.
58:24Leonard misses.
58:26Jokic rebounding well tonight.
58:28He's got 14.
58:30Nine with a layup.
58:31And the Nuggets
58:32are running the Clips
58:33at the moment.
58:34Ten-point lead.
58:37They're starting
58:38to get it out quickly,
58:39aren't they?
58:4011-2 run for Denver
58:42as Batum knocks it in.
58:44Batum,
58:45that little flat-footed
58:46set shot
58:47that he always seems
58:48to hit against Denver.
58:52Battle cut.
58:53Oh, and Brown
58:54fumbles it out of bounds.
58:56It might have been
58:57deflected off his hand.
58:58It looked like
58:59a pretty good pass there.
59:01That right there,
59:03you got to catch,
59:03finish that,
59:04make the highlight film.
59:06Calvin right there,
59:07Lopez just slapped it out.
59:09Cam ran it down.
59:11Joker, though,
59:12has been getting rebounds
59:13and kicking them out,
59:14looking for long passes.
59:18Now Cam gets a rush.
59:19Hardaway Jr. is in.
59:21Seven-point lead for Denver.
59:24Benedict Matherin is in.
59:27Now he's got a jumper
59:28on the way.
59:29Niederhauser,
59:30big miss there.
59:32Murray has a murder
59:33seven points,
59:34but is at five rebounds
59:35and five assists.
59:37Jokic behind the back.
59:39No,
59:39Matthews got it.
59:40He's off to the races.
59:42One lead down to five,
59:43just like that.
59:48He's jokers just 16 games.
59:51I just don't think people
59:52understand that.
59:53And especially at the level
59:55he was playing before,
59:56he's got a lot of rust in there.
59:58John A festa.
59:58He's a woman.
59:58He's a woman.
59:58He was like,
59:58I don't want to be year ago.
59:59I don't want to go to the
59:59list.
59:59He has a lot of druid.
59:59He will have two
Comments