The Clippers took control with 13 straight points midway through the third quarter and barely let the Nuggets get back in it.

Nikola finished with 17 points and 13 assists, but sat much of the fourth quarter as coach Mike Malone chose to rest many of his top line players down the stretch.

„We’re going to be smart about this,“ Malone said. „As much as we want to win games, I also want to be healthy come playoffs.“

The Nuggets, as the third seed, will face No. 6 Utah in the playoffs.

IZVOR: ESPN

ESPN