Clippers forward Paul George, left, looks to pass around Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the first half Sunday. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic drives to the basket between Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, and forward Kawhi Leonard in the first half Sunday. Nuggets coach Michael Malone heaped praise on Clippers backup center Mason Plumlee, himself a former Nugget, before …
Center Mason Plumlee, forcing Warriors guard Ty Jerome into an awkward shot near the basket, gives the Clippers a rim protector with the reserve players. Plumlee’s presence has dialed down the Clippers’ reliance on smaller, more defensively vulnerable bench combinations while allowing coach Tyronn Lue to resume using three-guard lineups of Gordon, Hyland and Norman Powell, knowing Plumlee’s size can …
