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LA Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shines and other takeaways

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 17: The LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem during a game against the Denver Nuggets on October 17, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 17: The LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem during a game against the Denver Nuggets on October 17, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 17: the LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem during a game against the Denver Nuggets on October 17, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 17: the LA Clippers stand for the National Anthem during a game against the Denver Nuggets on October 17, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Despite a great debut from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Los Angeles Clippers dropped the season opener to the Denver Nuggets. Here are the takeaways.

The Los Angeles Clippers dropped their season opener to the Denver Nuggets 107-98. While there were many positives in the game, it became obvious that the team has a few things to work on.

There was a glimmer of hope in the middle of the fourth quarter when the Clippers pulled ahead by eight. The lead was sparked by a classic Bobi versus the Nuggets run, but was short lived.

The Clip

Tobias Harris led the way for LA, scoring 19 points on 6 of 13 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, giving him his first double-double of the season.

The scoring was pretty evenly distributed for the team with Boban Marjanovic adding 18 points, Danilo Gallinari with 16, Lou Williams with 14 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 11 in his NBA debut. (More on him later).

Meanwhile for Denver, most of their scoring came from the starting unit. Star center Nikola Jokic put up 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Gary Harris dropped 20 points while Will Barton added 19. Paul Millsap scored 11 with most of them coming late in the fourth quarter.

Although just the first game of 82, the Clippers would have liked a win against a fellow Western Conference team who will be right there in the playoff mix. In order to be in playoff contention come April, the Clippers are going to have to fight and win tough games like last night.

Let’s focus on the good first.

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