If the Clippers get past the Denver Nuggets and advance in the Western Conference playoffs, it won’t be solely because of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and the improved play of center Ivica Zubac.
Should the Clippers continue their successful run, the bench is going to get equal billing. From Nicolas Batum to Ben Simmons to Derrick Jones Jr. and beyond, the bench runs deep.
And their contributions have been a key reason why the Clippers lead the Nuggets, 2-1, in the best-of-seven series that resumes with Game 4 on Saturday afternoon at the Intuit Dome.
Their impact was most noticeable in Thursday night’s 117-83 victory in Game 3, when the Clippers’ bench outscored the Denver reserves, 31-6.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said that while the Clippers’ bench outshined their counterparts in Game 3, it was understandable. Jamaal Murray and Jokic each played for 37 minutes and carried the bulk of the scoring, leaving few opportunities for their reserves.
“There’s not a lot of bench time for those guys. So, when you look at 31 to 6, their stars are playing the majority of the minutes. And so that bench doesn’t really have a chance to really get going.”
But that’s not a reason for the Clippers to let up. “We got to be locked in, understand what we’re trying to do,” Lue added, opting instead to focus on how beneficial it is to have a solid nine-man rotation when facing one of the best players in the league.
“Our bench has been good for us all year long,” Lue said Friday. “I think just understanding the plays we’re trying to run and how we want to attack – we can’t waste possessions. The second unit is just trying to get caught up as far as understanding what we’re trying to do.
“They’re really not up to speed on how we run our plays and what we’ve been doing. So just getting him more and more comfortable I think has been the biggest thing and understanding how we want to attack teams and different sets and different things that we got to continue to be good at doing.”
Even though the Clippers’ bench has been formidable this season, the team acquired guard Bogdan Bogdanovic at the trade deadline and Simmons on the buyout market for added depth. He has struggled in the first three games, shooting 1 for 11 from the field in 37 minutes.
Guard Amir Coffey has not been listed on any postseason injury report but has yet to play in the series. Lue said Coffey’s absence is related to the knee soreness that sidelined him for two weeks late in the season and shrinking the rotation from 10 to nine.
He returned against the Golden State Warriors in the regular-season finale, logging just four minutes. He averaged 20.9 minutes in 19 games (two starts) before getting hurt.
“He has been out for a while, so it’s going to be a point in time where we’re going to need him. But I think right now it’s not the time,” Lue said. “But he’s ready to go. Like I say, he’s prepared, and he’s been a big part of what we’ve done this year.
“So, with the addition of Bogey (Bogdanovic), with the addition of Ben (Simmons), instead of playing 10 guys, we cut it down to nine. But Amir’s been great. He’s been phenomenal and we’re going to need him again before it’s all said and done.”
Game 4: NUGGETS AT CLIPPERS
What: Western Conference, first round
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
TV/radio: FDSN SoCal, TNT/1150 AM