Nuggets rout Clippers 120-98 despite quiet night from Jokic

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray scored a game-high 20 points and the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-98 on Friday night 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.

James Harden had 15 points and nine turnovers for Los Angeles, which has dropped two straight.

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.

Denver held an opponent below 100 points for the first time since April 9.

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.

The Clippers led 58-55 early in the second half when Murray came up with two steals that sparked Denver’s momentum-turning run.

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.

Both teams play Monday night, with the Clippers hosting the Jazz and the Nuggets on the road at the Kings.

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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, knocks the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn gestures after hitting a 3-point basket against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, battles for control of a loose ball with Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller, right, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr., left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, right, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, front right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, back right, and forward Nicolas Batum (33) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — San Antonio veteran guard Chris Paul was ejected from the Spurs' game at Portland on Friday night after getting his second technical foul.

Paul left the game when he earned his second tech with 1:03 left in the first quarter, just 11 seconds after his first. It was unclear why Paul was tossed.

Paul, who was averaging 10.2 points per game and 8.5 assists, had five points, four rebounds and four assists when he was ejected.

The Spurs went into the game with just 11 players available. Stephon Castle, averaging 12.1 points, was out for the first time this season because of a bruised left shoulder.

Also unavailable were Zach Collins (bruised lower back), Keldon Johnson (left calf strain) and Tre Jones (sprained left shoulder) were also ruled out.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) walks off the court after being ejected during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)