Jokic, Nuggets keep Clippers winless with Harden

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 111-108 in an NBA In-Season Tournament game on Tuesday night, with Nikola Jokic scoring 32 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists, as the Clippers remained winless since acquiring James Harden last month.

Jokic hit all 14 of his free throw attempts, including two with 13 seconds remaining to help the Nuggets hold off the Clippers' comeback attempt.

Los Angeles has now lost five straight games with Harden, who was acquired on Oct. 30, and six in a row overall, despite Harden having his best game with his new team since arriving from Philadelphia.

Harden had 21 points and Paul George had 35, but Los Angeles fell to 0-2 in West Group B play.

Aaron Gordon had 20 points and Reggie Jackson added 18 as Denver has now won both of its games in the West B bracket.

The Nuggets were without point guard Jamal Murray for the fourth game in a row. He'll be out for the rest of the month due to a strained right hamstring.

At the end of the third quarter, Harden got aggressive, going around Jalen Pickett for a layup, hitting two free throws, and draining a 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left to give the Clippers an 84-81 lead. Gordon hit a 31-footer at the buzzer to tie the game heading into the fourth.

Los Angeles took a 99-92 lead on Leonard’s fadeaway midway through the fourth.

Denver appeared to have won the game when Jokic fed Gordon for a dunk and a 109-104 lead with 50 seconds remaining. With 32 seconds left, Jackson missed two free throws, Leonard hit two from the line, and then came up with his fifth steal, leading to George's layup with 15 seconds left.

Following Jokic's free throws, George's 3-point attempt was wedged between the rim and the backboard. The Nuggets won the jump ball and held on until the clock ran out.

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