Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 87-81 loss to the Denver Nuggets

Here are five things we learned from the Clippers’ 87-81 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at Staples Center.

1.) The Clippers just kept casting up three-pointer after three-pointer after three-pointer. And the Clippers kept missing three-pointer after three-pointer after three-pointer.

They took a franchise-high 46 three-pointers against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, making 13 for 28.3%.

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The Clippers took just 85 field goals total, so more than half of their shots were from three-point range.

J.J. Redick was six-for-12 from three-point range, Chris Paul three-for-eight, Jamal Crawford three-for-seven and Wesley Johnson one-for-seven.

But Pablo Prigioni (0-for-4), Jeff Green (0-for-3), Paul Pierce (0-for-3) and Luc Mbah a Moute (0-for-2) all missed their three-pointers.

“The right guys took them,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said. “If Steph Curry [of the Warriors] has 30 three-pointers in a game, should he have taken them? Or J.J. Redick or Jamal Crawford or Wes Johnson? When you look at the guys that were taking the threes, it was the right guys in the right spots.”

2.) Redick actually had another strong game. He had 20 points on seven-for-16 shooting.

His three-pointer pulled the Clippers to within 80-78 late in the fourth quarter. But like the rest of his teammates, Redick couldn’t make any shots as the game came to a close.

3.) The limited amount of minutes Pierce has been playing for the Clippers this season has suited the 18-year veteran just fine.

Pierce is content playing 17.8 minutes per game, the lowest of his career.

The Clippers and Pierce want to make sure he’s healthy and has something left for the playoff run.

“It’s been great,” Pierce said. “At times, you feel fatigue through a lot of the stretches. But I think right now I’m at my physical best, and mental. And I think the All-Star weekend had a lot to do with that.”

Pierce played 16:42 against the Nuggets Wednesday night, scoring just four points.

The week off for the All-Star break helped Pierce with his conditioning.

“It’s a long season and sometimes you need that break,” he said. “And Now I’m ready to push towards the playoffs. I feel a sense of urgency. I’ve ramped up my workouts here at practice and I’m ready for this stretch run.”

4.) Jamal Crawford did his best to keep the Clippers in the game.

Crawford had 20 points on eight-for-18 shooting. He also had five rebounds and one assists.

5.) DeAndre Jordan had another big-time defensive game.

Jordan blocked four shots and he had one steal. Jordan also had 12 rebounds, nine defensive.

But there was also moments when Jordan had the Nuggets thinking twice about driving the lane.

Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter @BA_Turner