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Boban Ignites Clippers To Win In Denver

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So far this season the Los Angeles Clippers have had to accept one constant throughout, change. Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center in Denver was no different as the team struggled with injuries yet again for their matchup with the Nuggets.

Former Nugget Danilo Gallinari missed the contest with a hand injury that is said to be day to day while guard Avery Bradley sat out yet again with a sports hernia injury. These changes forced Doc Rivers and the Clippers to play their 28th different starting lineup this season, the most in the league.

The absences of Gallinari and Bradley were felt throughout the game. Without Gallinari, Denver was able to focus their attention defensively on Tobias Harris and Harris struggled as a result. Shooting a meager 3-12 from the field and finishing with just 8 points. Without Bradley the Clippers were forced to play guard lineups that don’t work favorably together and Denver took advantage. Milos Teodosic is a solid offensive player, but struggles mightily defensively and the Nuggets were driving at him and exposing that weakness every time he was on the floor. A weakness not shared by Bradley, a former first team all NBA defender.

The Nuggets grabbed the lead early and held on for much of the game. A frustrating third quarter saw little go right for Los Angeles and the team trailed by as many as 19. In what seemed to be a desperation move the Clippers sent in the reinforcements, Boban Marjanovic. Marjanovic hasn’t played much since his trade from the Pistons so his entry into the game seemed to be a bit of a head scratcher. However when the 7’3″ Serbian entered things started looking up for the Clippers.

It wasn’t so much what he did statistically, although he did manage 18 points and 6 rebounds in just 15 minutes, it was more about the energy he brought to the floor. It clearly lifted his teammates and the Clippers garnered momentum. The team went on a 19-2 run and gained the lead for the first time in the fourth quarter.

The Clippers had another stellar performance from an unlikely source, two-way player Tyrone Wallace. Wallace has played great in his limited time with the squad this season. With his two-way deal running out soon many are wondering if the team will sign the guard long-term. If his performance in this one is any indication, the team should be lining up that contract asap. Wallace was money in the paint and created opportunities for Los Angeles that few others on this team can.

Wallace finished the night with an impressive 16 point and 5 assist performance.

Along with Marjanovic, the rest of the Clippers bench turned the tide for the team. The Clippers bench outscored the Nuggets 74-24, with most of that scoring coming in the second half and creating separation late in the game.

Thanks to that stellar performance Los Angeles was able to get a great comeback win on the road. Escaping Denver with a 122-120 victory.

This win was massive in terms of playoff positioning in the Western Conference and this is one the Clippers will love to have as the season wears on.

Los Angeles will head home next as they take on Chris Paul and the Rockets tomorrow night.

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