Clippers push through stretch of games, but ‘it’s been tough’

DENVER -- And the games just keep on coming for the Clippers.

Of course every team in the NBA plays 82 regular-season games.

It’s just that the Clippers have played 10 games in 16 days, and it it is taking a toll on them

mentally and physically.

“It’s been tough,” Blake Griffin said. “But every team has their stretches that they have to play a lot of road games. They have to play four [games] in five [nights], a couple of back-to-backs. So there’s no time for us to feel sorry for ourselves or complain.

“I think if we get out of this and become a better team, that’s going to put us in a great spot on down the line. That’s kind of our goal.”

When the Clippers play the Nuggets on Monday night in Denver, that will be 11 games in 18 days.

And even though the Nuggets have struggled to a 22-23 record in the Western Conference, the Clippers know they can’t overlook Denver.

“We’ve got to find a way to push through it, because Denver is not going to be any easier,” Griffin said.

The Clippers didn’t practice Sunday, something Coach Doc Rivers has decided to do on occasion to save his players’ legs.

“That’s why we have so many off days,” DeAndre Jordan said. “Doc is really good on resting and us saving our legs and our bodies.”

Clippers notice standing

When the Clippers returned home from their seven-game, 11-day trip, someone had put up the NBA standings inside their locker room.

It was a reminder of where they stand in the league, particularly in the Western Conference.

The Clippers lead the Pacific Division, holding a 31/2 -game lead over second-place Phoenix and four games over third-place Golden State.

The Clippers have the fourth-best record in the West, 41/2 games behind conference-leader Oklahoma City and three games behind San Antonio and Portland.

“I think it’s going to be time pretty soon, it’ll be time to look,” Rivers said. “I don’t know what it does. That’s why I never look. “

Vujacic to sign with Clippers

Free-agent guard Sasha Vujacic will sign a 10-day contract with the Clippers on Monday and will be in Denver for the game against the Nuggets later that night, according to NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The 6-foot-7 Vujacic, a former Lakers guard, passed his physical last week. Vujacic has worked out for the Clippers in the past, and was impressive, the executives said. Vujacic has been in Los Angeles working out.

broderick.turner@latimes.com