The Nuggets had just defeated the Clippers for the third time in four games this season Thursday night. They had won a fourth consecutive game for the first time all season while moving to within two games of .500 (33-35) for the first time since November. They had increased their lead over Portland for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference to 2½ games with 14 to play.
They had also drawn the ire of their coach.
“We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard, not just be satisfied with a win,” Michael Malone said after the Nuggets’ 129-114 victory, their seventh in nine games.