Jokic, Chandler power Nuggets in rout of Clippers
DENVER -- Nikola Jokic had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Wilson Chandler had 16 points and seven rebounds as the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 123-98 on Saturday night.
Danilo Gallinari and Will Barton scored 18 points apiece for Denver, which led by as many as 35 in the rout.
The Nuggets (18-24) never trailed in winning for the fourth time in five games and kept up their strong offensive play. Denver shot 52.9 percent from the floor even with guard Emmanuel Mudiay going 0 for 8 before leaving in the third quarter with lower back soreness.
DeAndre Jordan had 14 points and 13 rebounds and Marreese Speights scored 18 for the Clippers (29-16).
Los Angeles played its second straight game without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Paul will miss the next six-to-eight weeks after having surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left thumb, but Griffin could return in a few days.
The Clippers struggled without those two against the streaking Nuggets, who have averaged 123.8 points in the last five games. Jokic has recorded a double-double in 15 games, including the last six.
Los Angeles got within eight early in the third quarter but the Nuggets pulled away.
Gallinari's 3-pointer started a Denver run that turned a 65-55 lead into an 83-60 advantage. Barton scored 12 points in the period and hit two 3-pointers to help Denver get the lead.
Jokic had 13 points in the third after a quiet first half. He also got into a battle with Jordan, who was called for three fouls and a technical in the period before exiting with Los Angeles behind 87-62.
The Nuggets led by 17 in the second quarter when Jamal Murray hit a 3-pointer from the corner. Denver was able to hit on 53.7 percent of its shots despite not having Jokic on the floor for most of the first half. Jokic, who set a career-high in points in three straight games, was plagued by foul trouble and played just nine minutes.
NOTES: Clippers F Blake Griffin, who has been out since having right knee surgery Dec. 20, could return Monday or Tuesday, coach Doc Rivers said. "He's had some contact, it just hasn't been full court," Rivers said. "He's been playing a bunch of one-on-ones. He's been playing for a good three, four, five days." ... Nuggets G Gary Harris (ankle) did not play and is doubtful for the team's game in Minnesota on Sunday. ... Saturday's game starts a stretch of 11 of 12 road games for the Clippers. Their only home game is Feb. 2 against Golden State. ... Nuggets F Darrell Arthur was active after missing four games with left knee soreness. Coach Michael Malone said he was on a minutes restriction.