LOS ANGELES – After four games with their defense leading the way, the Denver Nuggets turned to their offense Saturday and regained control of their playoff destiny.
The Nuggets made 10 of their first 12 shots and they ran off to a 134-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
They will reach the postseason if they win their last two games.
"At this time of the year, it's all about finding a way to get wins," Nuggets coach Mike Malone said.
"We're playing 'get it done' basketball. We're getting it done. Going into tonight, we'd been playing good defense. We controlled the game, won all four quarters, another big step in the right direction."
Will Barton scored 31 points and Nikola Jokic added 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as the Nuggets posted their fifth straight win to pull into a tie with the Timberwolves for eighth place in the Western Conference with two games to play. Both teams are 45-35.
The Nuggets finish the regular season at home against Portland on Monday night.
"I think overall — offensively, defensively, controlling our turnovers, I think we're playing overall our best basketball," Paul Millsap said. "Not our best offense we've played all year, not necessarily our best defense, but to be a good team you have to have balance."
