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Clippers welcome Nuggets to LA

Apr 13, 2015 - 2:08 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Clippers are jockeying for position in the Western Conference standings and will host the Denver Nuggets Monday at the Staples Center.

The Clippers are tied for third place in the conference with the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies, two teams battling the San Antonio Spurs for the Southwest Division title. The Clippers, Rockets and Grizzlies are just a half-game behind the defending champs.

With the Portland Trail Blazers assured a top-four seed by virtue of winning the Northwest Division, the Clippers could fall to sixth, or finish as high as second.

They've won five straight and 12 of their last 13. The Clippers' home winning streak is only two and they'll finish off the campaign Tuesday night in Phoenix.

LA took care of the Grizzlies, 94-86, on Saturday at the Staples Center.

Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan each contributed a double-double in the Clippers' win. Paul had 15 points and 14 assists, while Jordan deposited 16 points with 16 rebounds for the Clippers.

Blake Griffin went for 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the win. J.J. Redick also scored 18 points for the Clips.

"We didn't play very well, but we played well enough to win the game," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "Our rhythm wasn't there. Maybe you have to credit Memphis, but we hung in there."

The game was tied just before the midway point of the fourth when Redick canned a 3-pointer, then Paul scored the final five points of what turned out to be an 8-2 run that gave Los Angeles an 87-81 lead.

Memphis' Zach Randolph converted a floater with over three minutes left that cut Memphis' deficit to four, but that would be as close it would come down the stretch.

The Nuggets polished off their home season on Sunday with a 122-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Kenneth Faried poured in 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting to lead Denver.

"To have the fans there and their support...it was nice," Faried said.

Wilson Chandler added 21 points and nine rebounds, and Ty Lawson posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists for the victors.

Sacramento suddenly went cold in the third, making just two field goals over the first 6 1/2 minutes, and the Nuggets took advantage with a 22-9 run. It was a 94-84 game entering the fourth, and the margin never dipped below eight over the final 12 minutes.

The Nuggets end the season Wednesday at Golden State.

The Clippers took two of three meetings this season and five straight at home over the Nuggets.