Entering the day, the LA Clippers knew they had a mile-high task ahead of them. Going just 5-5 in their last 10 games and still tinkering with their roster additions, while adjusting to the departures from the trade deadline frenzy, the Clippers found themselves equal-parts removed from the 5th seed and 9th place in the tight and loaded Western Conference.
The Denver Nuggets, 7-3 in their previous 10 games and 25-4 at home, recently returned to near-full health with the return of both Isaiah Thomas and Gary Harris to an already-deep roster.