Three reasons why the Nuggets’ win over the Clippers really mattered

Yes, I know the Clippers were playing their fourth game in five nights on Thursday. Still, contained within the Nuggets’ blowout win were encouraging signs that suggest this team is growing from just being a very successful regular season bunch to a crew capable of winning some playoff games. What we saw: Paint Presence As quiet as it’s kept, Nene has done a more than admirable job patrolling the paint this season, largely in absence of any other consistent threat to help him. Timofey Mozgov changed that against the Clippers. The Russian mixed physical toughness with finesse and gave the Nuggets much-needed punch in the paint, particularly considering Nene was locked up in a battle with block-everything center DeAndre Jordan all night. Mozgov displayed most everything a solid big man in the pivot should – the ability to finish with both hands, a soft touch around the rim, and a mean streak when he needed it. Mozgov had two blocks and did not miss a shot on his way to 11 points and s...