NBA Power Rankings: The Clippers keep coming

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Los Angeles Clippers Forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers Guard Lou Williams (23) chest bump during an NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 15, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 20: Nikola Jokic No. 15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 20, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Previous: 16th. Denver Nuggets. 19. team. 73. .

Nikola Jokic had a big game for Denver on Tuesday, with 29 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists to help his team to a 105-102 win over the Mavericks. They survived a collapse in the fourth quarter where they had a handful of turnovers and a poor defensive effort, letting the Mavericks cut the lead to one point after having a 23-point lead in the third quarter. “I thought we looked like a poorly coached team in that fourth quarter,” head coach Michael Malone said. “I take that very personally. We all have to be better down the stretch. If that game is 10 seconds longer, we probably lose.”

The Nuggets wilted under pressure against the Clippers, with Montrezl Harrell’s physical style of play leaving the Nuggets with no answers on the defensive end. They were outscored in the fourth quarter, and the Clippers won 109-104. Coach Malone decided to change his starting lineup against the Phoenix Suns, moving Trey Lyles off the bench for Mason Plumlee. It helped their offense have more floor spacing, but they couldn’t stop Devin Booker or T.J. Warren, and the Suns won easily, 108-100.

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