Nuggets game day: Denver faces L.A. for first time since getting Boban'd

Few teams toggle between elation and dejection like the Denver Nuggets. The highs — like the one they’re riding now after rattling off four straight wins — are so high Boban Marjanovic would have a difficult time reaching them. The lows — such as the ones they experienced after dropping back-to-back games late last month to the 76ers and Raptors — are low enough to prompt soul searching.

Sometimes Denver will experience both emotions in one game. That was the case Feb. 27 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets were in complete control for nearly three quarters. They had a 19-point lead with roughly 16 minutes left to play. Clippers coach Doc Rivers effectively waived the white flag by inserting his bench unit into the game. Then something unexpected happened: the 7-foot-3 Marjanovic led one of the unlikeliest comebacks of the season.

“It happened so fast, I don’t even know what to say,” Will Barton said. “Big fella on their team, he changed the game for them. Just a bad loss.”

The Nuggets will face the Clippers on Saturday (1:30 p.m., Altitude) for the first time since Marjanovic scored 18 points in 15 minutes in Denver’s shocking collapse. That loss dropped the Nuggets out of the playoff picture. They are still on the outside looking in, but things are looking up after four consecutive wins.

The Nuggets are a 1/2 game behind the eight-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. Denver is also just a game behind the teams in fifth, sixth and seventh in the standings — the Pelicans, Spurs and Thunder.

The Clippers, who trail the Nuggets by two games, are in 10th place in the West. They need a win to keep their dim playoff hopes alive.

Los Angeles is 1-3 in its last four games with losses coming to Portland, Indiana and Utah. The Clippers have been banged up all season, and although they’ve fought admirably, those injuries might finally be catching up to them. Patrick Beverly was limited to 11 games this season. Danilo Gallinari  has only played in 21. Avery Bradley hasn’t suited up since Valentine’s Day. Milos Teodosic (left foot) has missed the last five games and is not expected to play against Denver.

The Nuggets are dealing with injury issues of their own but on a much less severe basis. Gary Harris, who sprained his right knee last month, will miss a 11th straight game. Denver is 6-4 without him.

The Nuggets are guaranteed to make the playoffs if they win out against the Clippers, Blazers and Timberwolves. If they go 2-1, they’ll need some outside help.

Nuggets Projected Starters

Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Wilson Chandler, Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic

Clippers Projected Starters

Austin Rivers, Sindarius Thornwell, Tyrone Wallace, Tobias Harris, DeAndre Jordan