Bennedict Mathurin Shines in Clippers' Narrow Win Over Nuggets

In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, Bennedict Mathurin made a significant impact in his home debut for the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 38 points to help secure a narrow 115-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets at the Crypto.com Arena in Inglewood, California. The game showcased Mathurin's scoring prowess and the Clippers' resilience as they improved their record to 21-7 since December 20.

Mathurin, who was acquired from the Indiana Pacers at the trade deadline, demonstrated his offensive skills by shooting 12 of 22 from the field. His performance was crucial in a tightly contested game that saw multiple lead changes and a dramatic finish. Alongside Mathurin, Kawhi Leonard contributed 23 points, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 22 points to the Clippers' tally. Leonard's scoring marked his 34th consecutive game with at least 20 points, underscoring his consistency and importance to the team's success.

The game was particularly intense in the final moments. Denver's Jamal Murray had a chance to tie the game with three free throws after being fouled by Jones with only 0.9 seconds left on the clock. Murray successfully made the first two free throws but missed the third, allowing the Clippers to hold on for the win. This close finish highlighted the competitive nature of both teams, who were looking to build momentum after the All-Star break.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a strong performance, recording 22 points and 17 rebounds. His efforts kept Denver in the game, especially as they fought back to tie the score at 107-107 with just 46 seconds remaining, thanks to a basket from inside the paint. Murray added 20 points for the Nuggets, while Bruce Brown contributed 19 points. Cam Johnson and Julian Strawther also played key roles, each scoring 18 points.

The Nuggets were missing key players, including Aaron Gordon, who has been sidelined for ten consecutive games due to a hamstring injury. Peyton Watson also missed the game with a hamstring issue, further complicating Denver's efforts to secure a win. Despite these absences, the Nuggets displayed resilience and fought hard until the final buzzer.

Tempers flared during the game, particularly with 10:27 left in the fourth quarter when a scuffle broke out under the basket. Clippers players Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Kris Dunn, and Mathurin were involved in a confrontation with the Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas. The altercation resulted in all four players receiving technical fouls, with Denver converting one of the technical free throws to tie the game at 83-83.

As the game progressed, the tension only increased. The Clippers managed to pull ahead 115-112 with just nine seconds remaining, thanks to two successful free throws from Mathurin. The Nuggets' last-ditch effort to tie the game fell short when Murray missed his final free throw attempt, sealing the victory for Los Angeles.

The win was significant for the Clippers, who are looking to solidify their playoff positioning as the regular season approaches its conclusion. With Mathurin's addition to the roster, the team hopes to maintain their momentum and continue their strong performance in the coming games. The Clippers will face their city rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, in their next matchup, which promises to be another exciting contest.

For the Nuggets, the loss was a disappointment, but they will have a chance to bounce back quickly as they prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. The team will need to regroup and find ways to overcome the challenges posed by injuries and maintain their competitiveness in the Western Conference.

As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on their performances and secure their spots in the playoffs. With standout players like Mathurin making an impact, the excitement of the NBA season continues to unfold, showcasing the talent and determination of teams across the league.

NBA PREDICTIONS

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NBA
Totals Pick

  Under 227

53.1%
Spread Pick

 DET -8

53.6%
22.1%
22.1%
77.9%
77.9%
Side Value
DET  1.54%

Money Line
DET  77.9%


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NBA

NBA2 Season Futures

Eastern SEASON-TO-DATE FORECAST POSTSEASON
WIN LOSS WIN LOSS WIN DIV PLAYOFF
ATL
New York Knicks 0 0 15.5 7.5 82.9% 100%
Boston Celtics 0 0 11.3 12.7 15.5% 100%
Philadelphia 76ers 0 0 11.2 11.9 0.5% 98.8%
Toronto Raptors 0 0 10.4 12.6 1.1% 99.4%
Brooklyn Nets 0 0 4.9 19.1 0% 0%
CEN
Cleveland Cavaliers 0 0 14.9 7.1 14.2% 100%
Detroit Pistons 0 0 13.9 11.1 85.8% 100%
Milwaukee Bucks 0 0 12.6 11.4 0% 76.4%
Chicago Bulls 0 0 9.9 12.1 0% 10.8%
Indiana Pacers 0 0 9.1 12.9 0% 0%
SE
Orlando Magic 0 0 14.8 9.2 65.5% 99.3%
Atlanta Hawks 0 0 11.7 9.3 13.4% 92.5%
Miami Heat 0 0 11.4 10.6 20.7% 96.9%
Charlotte Hornets 0 0 7.1 14.9 0.4% 26.6%
Washington Wizards 0 0 5.3 18.7 0% 0%

Western SEASON-TO-DATE FORECAST POSTSEASON
WIN LOSS WIN LOSS WIN DIV PLAYOFF
NW
Oklahoma City Thunder 0 0 16.6 5.4 98.4% 100%
Denver Nuggets 0 0 13.2 8.8 1.1% 100%
Minnesota Timberwolves 0 0 13.1 8.9 0.5% 100%
Portland Trail Blazers 0 0 10.9 11.1 0% 85.8%
Utah Jazz 0 0 5.0 18.0 0% 0%
PAC
Los Angeles Lakers 0 0 14.0 10.0 65.1% 100%
Los Angeles Clippers 0 0 13.9 10.1 2.4% 89.5%
Golden State Warriors 0 0 13.7 9.3 25% 99.6%
Sacramento Kings 0 0 9.6 11.4 0% 0%
Phoenix Suns 0 0 9.0 13.0 7.6% 98.6%
SW
Houston Rockets 0 0 15.2 8.8 33% 100%
Memphis Grizzlies 0 0 12.7 11.3 0% 16.7%
San Antonio Spurs 0 0 11.3 11.7 67% 100%
Dallas Mavericks 0 0 11.1 11.9 0% 11.3%
New Orleans Pelicans 0 0 9.7 12.3 0% 0.1%

Eastern, ATL

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Eastern, ATL

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Eastern, CEN

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Eastern, CEN

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Eastern, SE

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Eastern, SE

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Western, NW

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Western, NW

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Western, PAC

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Western, PAC

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF

Western, SW

SEASON-TO-DATE    WIN     LOSS   |   FORECAST    WIN     LOSS   

Western, SW

POSTSEASON    WIN DIV     PLAYOFF