NBA Power Rankings Week 19: LA Clippers get aggressive on buyout market

Last week: Lost to San Antonio 113-104, lost to Houston 120-110

This week: Monday vs. Phoenix, Wednesday vs. Boston, Friday vs. Washington

The Utah Jazz picked up their schedule after the All-Star break with five consecutive home games. But they stubbed their collective toe badly out of the gate, losing to both the Spurs and Rockets while performing the old Texas two-stumble at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Saturday’s loss to Houston was doubly bad for Utah, which lost the season series and the tiebreaker to the Rockets with two losses in the teams’ three meetings, while also dropping behind Houston and into fifth place in the Western Conference.

Jordan Clarkson, acquired in January from Cleveland, continued to shine off the bench, scoring 22 points in 27 minutes against the Rockets, hitting 10-of-16 overall and 2-of-5 from 3-point range while also grabbing seven rebounds. Over the two games, Clarkson scored 37 points with nine boards, four assists and two steals on 15-of-28 shooting, hitting 4-of-12 from long range.

Last week: Lost at Oklahoma City 113-101

This week: Sunday vs. Minnesota, Tuesday vs. Detroit, Friday at Clippers

The Denver Nuggets opened their second half the way they ended the first, with a loss, dropping a 113-101 decision at Oklahoma City on Friday night, but Denver remains a game up on the Clippers for second place in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets are getting a bit healthier, with Paul Millsap returning to the starting lineup Friday for the first time since Jan. 6. He returned from a bruised and sprained left knee on Feb. 8, but made his first three appearances off the bench.

Denver lost to the Thunder despite the efforts of All-Star center Nikola Jokic, who returned from the break with 32 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes, hitting 12-of-15 from the floor and going 1-for-2 from behind the arc. Jokic is averaging 27.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks in February.