Nuggets continue home court dominance in win over Clippers

Winning at Pepsi Center is becoming a formality for the Nuggets. Their last loss at 1000 Chopper Circle? Jan. 15 to Golden State. Denver’s last defeat at home before that? Nov. 13 to Houston. The Nuggets have won 19 of their last 20 games inside of their friendly confines, and their impressive run continued Sunday.

The Nuggets throttled the Clippers 123-96 for their 41st win of the season. Denver got out of the gates hot, opening up a 12-2 advantage over Los Angeles in the first few minutes of the first quarter and held the Clippers to just 27 points. The Nugget let their foot off the gas a bit in the second but still maintained a 64-56 lead at halftime. To open the third, Mason Plumlee converted on the second three-pointer of his career, a screaming line drive that banked off the glass and set Pepsi Center into a frenzy. Denver maintained a 20-plus point advantage through most of the fourth.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 22 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Paul Millsap, who looks refreshed following last week’s All-Star break, finished with 21 points on 8-13 shooting and 16 rebounds. He’s now recorded at least 17 points 13 rebounds in each of his last three games.

Jamal Murray (16 points), Gary Harris (14 points), Isaiah Thomas (10 points) and Monte Morris (12 points) also finished in double figures.

The Nuggets held the Clippers to 35 percent shooting from the field and 3-21 shooting from three.

Lou Williams led the Clippers with 24 points off the bench.

Denver puts its impressive home record on the line Tuesday when Paul George, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder come to town.