Bench disappoints in Nuggets’ loss to Clippers
Baron Davis of the Los Angeles Clippers looks for room to maneuver against the Nuggets Chauncey Billups on Friday night at the Staples Center. (Los Angeles Times photo)
The Denver Nuggets dropped a tough game on the road to the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night at The Staples Center.
The Nuggets (8-4) started the game strong while jumping ahead with a 10 point lead early in the game. Carmelo Anthony had 17 points in the first quarter and then finished with 37.
Rasual Butler of the Clippers (5-9) dropped 27 points on the Nuggets and killed them from the three point line, shooting 4-9. Baron Davis also had a nice game after scoring 12 points and getting six assists which brought him to 5,000 career assists.
The rebounding wasn’t the problem with the Nuggets this game after out rebounded the Clippers 34-33 even with the absence of Chris “Birdman” Anderson. What hurt the Nuggets was the poor defense and lack of hustle.
There was no passion in the game and no sign of desire to win. The players acted like the game was a walk in the park and got beat in almost every aspect of the game.
Ty Lawson of the Nuggets was one of the only players that played like he wanted to win. Lawson came off the bench and scored 12 points in 18 minutes. The rest of the bench looked lost including forward Malik Allen and guard Joey Graham who both were held scoreless.
To make matters worse, the Nuggets travel back to Denver Saturday night to take on the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls lost to the Nuggets a couple weeks ago after center Brad Miller didn’t release the ball in time to win the game on a last second shot.
However, the Nuggets are 4-0 at home and look to continue winning in Denver Saturday night against the Bulls.
