Clippers say reducing turnovers key to Game 2 success in Denver

The Clippers wasted no time in moving on from Saturday’s messy turnover-filled 112-110 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets in the first game in the Western Conference playoffs and looking ahead to Game 2.

It’s another game to solve their turnover problem and figure out how to better contain Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who finished one rebound shy of a triple double.

Another game to even the series before they head to the airport and return home. The teams tip off Game 2 of the best-of-seven series on Monday at Denver’s Ball Arena; the series then moves to the Intuit Dome for Games 3 and 4.

“It’s just confidence,” said James Harden, who scored 22 points on 11-of-22 shooting for the Clippers. “The turnovers are a little frustrating just because it’s so self-inflicted and it’s something that we’ve been really good at these last few weeks, even-keel you know.

“Now, I mean we come back in Game 2, ready to go, even better.”

The Nuggets scored 29 points off the Clippers’ 20 turnovers, many of which were unforced or the result of a lack of hustle.

“That’s the game,” said Harden of the turnovers. “Nothing else. That’s the game. Those turnovers were unforced. That’s the game right there. It’s nothing they did. It’s us. It’s all us.”

Still, Harden was perplexed as to why, after slowing their turnover rate, the Clippers bumbled away so many passes and loose balls.

“I’m trying to figure it out, too,” Harden said. “Like, literally, trying to figure out what the hell was the reason for it. So, we’ll watch film, get better and be ready for Game 2.”

Kawhi Leonard was the biggest offender, committing seven turnovers, including when he stepped out of bounds after an offensive rebound in the final minute of overtime and then lost the ball when Jamal Murray poked it free with 33 seconds left in regulation and with the Clippers holding a one-point lead.

“We just have to be decisive, get more into attack mode situations and that’s it,” Leonard said. “A lot of the turnovers we caused.”

Leonard, who had 20 points and three steals, said the team needs to see what went wrong and try to figure it out.

“We just got to be decisive, get more in attack-mode situations,” Leonard said. “That’s it, really. A lot of the turnovers. That’s all you can do.

“We have to be better at that next game.”

Turnovers weren’t the Clippers only letdown. They allowed 12 offensive rebounds to the Nuggets with Aaron Gordon collecting five and Russell Westbrook four.

“We got to get to the paint, get to the paint and good things happen for us,” Harden said. “We talked about it through the last couple days and even today, get to the paint and good things are going to happen, generate lifts and get open shots for my team. So, we will try to do better in Game 2.”

Coach Tyronn Lue wasn’t altogether discouraged by his team’s performance. They outshot the Nuggets (50.0% to 43.6%), had one more assist (25 to 24), one fewer rebound (45 to 44) and had five more blocked shots (6 to 1).

“We’re in good shape,” Lue said.  “We just got to do what we’re supposed to do. Take care of the basketball, keep them off the glass, and then we’ll be fine. But if you turn it over 20 times against the team that is No. 1 in offensive transition, then you’re going to lose the game. So, we understand that we just got to be better.”

HARDEN MILESTONES

With his 32 points he scored on Saturday, Harden now has scored 3,796 career points in the postseason, pushing him past John Havlicek for sole possession of 14th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff points list.

Harden also has 1,072 assists in the postseason, pushing him past Larry Bird for sole possession of eighth on the all-time playoff assists list.