Loss to Nuggets leaves Clippers with a foul taste

Reporting from Denver

They knew that Denver shot plenty of free throws but not that the Nuggets relocated there and practically took up permanent residence on the line Friday night.

“Fifty-nine free throws, bro,” one of the Clippers said in the locker room after the Nuggets beat them, 109-104, at Pepsi Center.

The number circulated around the room and the Clippers could only shake their heads and almost laugh in disbelief. It was a better choice than tears after they lost for the ninth time in nine road games.

“I experienced Denver playing at home, at its finest,” said Clippers rookie Blake Griffin, at his laconic best. “It’s tough, man. How many free throws did they shoot?”

Reporters, in unison: “Fifty-nine.”

Chris Kaman, who played in his first game in more than three weeks because of a sprained left ankle, had more disheartening information for Griffin.

Kaman: “To our 29.”

Griffin: “You know, that says it all right there. Fifty-nine to 29.”

Kaman: “What about Carmelo [Anthony] not having any fouls till…”

Griffin: “Whatever. I’m not going to say anything.”

Thankfully, Kaman isn’t shy about speaking. The Clippers (4-16) made 20 of 29 from the free-throw line and the Nuggets (12-6) made 45 of 59.

Anthony had 26 points, making 13 of 18 free throws, as the Nuggets won their sixth in a row.

“I don’t want to say anything bad about anybody, the referees, or anything, but it was rough out there,” said Kaman, who had 10 points and six rebounds in 12-plus minutes off the bench.

“It was unfortunate. It’s frustrating. You’ve got to go out and play. They’re going to make mistakes, just like us. We’re humans. We just want to continue to play hard. We fought till the end. A couple plays, we turned the ball [over] and it cost us the game.”

The Clippers committed 17 turnovers, seven in the fourth quarter. They were behind by 10 points with 2:41 remaining and kept fighting but couldn’t get any closer than three down the stretch.

Said Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro: “Our turnovers in the second half, again. We had some fastbreaks, some opportunities, three-on-twos, four-on-threes and things, but we’re not even getting a shot at the basket. That’s just youth and some growing pains.”

Griffin’s streak with 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds ended at six games. He had 17 and 12.

Eric Gordon kept fighting after a first half in which he made two of 10 shots. Gordon finished with 24 points, and five assists, going seven for 21.

Brian Cook had 13 points off the bench, including three three-pointers, and also off the bench, Baron Davis had eight points and six assists in nearly 20 minutes.

“We’re jelling together,” Davis said. “We’re playing our hearts out. …

“There was no quit in this team. I know we’re going to win more games.”

lisa.dillman@latimes.com