Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, looks to drive to the rim as Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER — Jamal Murray scored a game-high 20 points and the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-98 on Friday night in the NBA despite a quiet game from Nikola Jokic.
Jokic, who scored 56 and 48 points in the last two games, had a season-low two assists and tied season lows with 16 points and seven rebounds.
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James Harden had 15 points and nine turnovers for Los Angeles, which has dropped two straight.
READ: NBA: Nikola Jokic stays hot with 48 points as Nuggets rout Hawks
The Clippers scored 18 straight points in the second quarter to turn a 12-point deficit into a five-point lead. Denver missed eight shots and had 10 turnovers in nearly six minutes when Los Angeles went on its run.
The Nuggets answered that with a 23-5 run in the third quarter to take control of the game. Michael Porter Jr. scored 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter.
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Denver held an opponent below 100 points for the first time since April 9.
Takeaways
Clippers: In the first two games against Denver this season, Norman Powell averaged 32.6 points and hit 63.2% of his 3-point attempts. He was held to 16 points and 3 of 10 from deep.
Nuggets: Coach Michael Malone has been trying to find a way to take the pressure off Jokic this season and found an opportunity Friday night. Jokic played less than 30 minutes and didn’t get off the bench in the fourth quarter.
READ: NBA: Jokic career high comes during low point for Nuggets
Key moment
The Clippers led 58-55 early in the second half when Murray came up with two steals that sparked Denver’s momentum-turning run.
Key stat
Coming into the night, Denver was 0-5 when playing after two or more days of rest and 4-0 on the second game of a back-to-back.
Up next
Both teams play Monday night, with the Clippers hosting the Jazz and the Nuggets on the road at the Kings.
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